Altair 8800

The Altair 8800, released in 1975, is widely regarded as the spark that ignited the personal computer revolution. Sold as a kit through mail order by MITS, it captured the imagination of hobbyists and engineers alike. Its front panel, adorned with toggle switches and blinking LEDs, became an iconic symbol of the early days of computing. While lacking a monitor, keyboard, or persistent storage, the Altair's open architecture and expandability fueled innovation, leading to the development of peripherals, software, and ultimately, the modern PC. It played a pivotal role in inspiring figures like Bill Gates and Paul Allen to create Microsoft, forever changing the landscape of technology and business.