In 1982 the possibilities for personal computers were unlimited. Once the price of a computer came down to a economical level, everyone that could afford it was trying to get their hands on one of those PCs. Time Magazine named the Computer the Machine of the Year as it states on the cover of the magazine. Time chose the computer because of its numerous and seemingly imaginative capabilities. Then, a computer could custom- tailor an insurance programs, show 3 D images of airplanes, teach Spanish, and many other occupations. Now, a computer can carry out commands by touch and operate hardware wirelessly. So how has the computer met expectations from projections in 1982?
During the early 80's people had many predictions about the progression of the computer. Some experts claimed that nearly 80% of Americans believed that the computer would be just as common place as a TV set or a dishwasher. According to the U.S. Census in 2000 55.4% of people that registered said that they had access to a home computer. It was estimated that the number of personal computers in use by the end of the century would be as high as 80 million. The estimated total of personal computers by the year 2000 was 168.6 million according to The Physics Factbook edited by Glenn Elert.
Today, we look at the computer more as an instrument of necessity rather than a hot commodity. The computer continues to advance technologically and expand to more parts of the globe everyday. If people continue to advance on this computer technology the possibilities, just as it was said in 1982, are endless.
Great insight! Wen the PC first came out it was very expensive on mostly used in the business world. Like you said when the price came down everybody who could afford it was tying to get there hands on one. Families made sacrifices etc. If it was up to me in that time and It was up to me to choose a person of the year for TIME Magazine I would have to go with the computer as well because form the charts provided from your link this computer was like a baby boom and the ratings were up. I have to agree with you in your last paragraph that the computer is endless and will continue to advance.
ReplyDeleteGreat blog. I'm not sure of it but it looks as if you've done some outside resaerch for this blog, and that shows the time and effort you put into the blog. I agree with the points you made about i\the computers impact. Good writing.
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