The original IBM 5150, the personal computer that helped launch an
industry, made its debut at a press conference at the Waldorf Astoria
Hotel in New York on August 12, 1981.
Photo by IBM
A marketing photo of the IBM 5150 illustrated how the company wanted to push the new personal computer into the workplace.
Photo by IBM
Don Estridge, later called "the father of the PC," led the team at IBM
that developed the 5150, the personal computer that sparked the PC
revolution.
Photo by IBM
An advertisement for the IBM 5150 noted: "IBM believes that the age of the personal computer has arrived."
Photo by Computer History Museum
IBM sped up development of the 5150 personal computer, worried about the
encroachment of the popular Apple II into homes and businesses.
Photo by Computer History Museum
IBM turned to a young company, Microsoft, and its co-founders Paul Allen
and Bill Gates, for the operating system for the 5150. This photo was
shot shortly after Microsoft signed the contract with IBM. The image was
featured in the Seattle Business Journal's October 19, 1981 article,
"Building on success, Microsoft owners shoot for $100 million target."
Photo by Microsoft
An advertisement for MS-DOS 1.0, the operating system that got its start
on the IBM 5150 and was used on the so-called clone PCs.
Photo by Microsoft
