When Having a Computer Was Weird
A showcase of early personal computers
Part of AIGA Portland Design Month 2024: Weird By Design
Exhibit Dates:
- October 5 - 12:30-1:30 & 2:00-3:00
- October 18 - 12:00-1:00 & 6:30-7:30
- Other dates may be added as demand warrants
Please register here at least a day in advance.
Half of Americans alive today do not remember a time before personal computers.1 Today, from our media streaming to our smart homes, from our wristwatches to our car dashboards, and from our desks to our pockets, nearly every facet of our life comes in contact with computers all day, every day. But not that long ago, it was weird and novel if you had a computer in your home.
What are some of the steps that got us here? What was it like when computers were large, noisy boxes on our desks or sprawling nests of wires on the shag carpet in front of the living room TV? When Having a Computer Was Weird is a showcase of some of the pivotal technological steps to the world of computing that we inhabit today, with actual working examples of these products and the ability to experience them up close and personal.
On The Living Room TV (1977-1981)
The Atari Video Computer System (better known as the Atari 2600) brought computing technology into the home in the form of games, with an estimated 30 million units sold since its launch in 1977.2 Now families could experience the excitement of the arcade without dropping quarters at the mall.
The Texas Instruments TI-99/4A (1981) was the host’s first exposure to a computer, one of nearly 3 million units sold.3 While it performed fairly poorly in the market, it was the first 16-bit home computer in a time when such technology was limited to high-tech industry. As with many computers of the time, home users who didn’t want to buy a monitor could connect it to their TV.
The Rise of Commodore (1982-1985)
The Commodore 64 (1982) is legendary in home computing even today. It brought a combination of exciting graphics and sound with affordability for home and school. Many of the senior software engineers of today got their start on the C64.
Its successor, the Commodore 128 (1985), nominally had twice the power and also tried to appeal to the budding business computer user with a more serious-looking design. It didn’t do as well in the market, but it did make the smart move of retaining 100% compatibility with the 64’s software — which most buyers just stuck with as the years went on.
Going Mobile: Walk Before You Run (1986-1989)
Before a computer could exist in your pocket, it first needed to go on the road. The Radio Shack TRS-80 Model 100 (1983, represented in our collection as the Model 102 of 1986) was the first commercially successful notebook computer. It was hugely influential in the journalism industry as it could both go on location for the scoop as well as upload field reports from the nearest phone booth.
Before there were true portables, there were luggables. With the rise of DOS and later, Microsoft Windows, business users needed the power that they were used to at the office when out on the road, whether for sales, site visits, or jet-setting world travel. Our collection features a 1989 PC clone inspired by the Dolch PAC line of suitcase-form-factor desktop computers.
The Ascent of Apple (1988-1995)
From the original highly-designed Apple product, the Macintosh (1984, represented in our collection as the Mac Plus of 1986), came the seeds of the Apple we know today. What more is there to say about the computer that started it all? Even if it was still black and white well into the 1980s.
As Apple grew in influence and computers became a bigger part of business and education, the PowerMac (1995) made moves to converge with the IBM PC in form and capabilities. Users of Apple computers today will largely be at home in a classic interface design that has survived decades — and it’s still running Photoshop.
About the collection
All pieces on exhibit are functional and hands-on use will be encouraged. About half of the pieces are complete with original boxes and packaging, showcasing a history of home technology product design.
The location will be at the host’s home, in an insulated garage studio space dedicated to the exhibit.
About the host
Justin Miller is a computer programmer, hardware designer, tinkerer, photographer, and vintage computer collector. His first exposure to computers was in the early 1980s as a neighbor of forward-looking teachers and as a student during the advent of computers in the classroom.