The History of the Apple II: How It Revolutionized Personal Computing

Price: $20.99
(as of May 20,2023 20:21:00 UTC – Details)

The Apple II is widely regarded as one of the most significant personal computers in the history of technology. Co-designed by Steve Wozniak and Steve Jobs, the computer represented a major step forward in making computers even more accessible to everyday consumers in the late 1970s.

In this book, historian Laine Nooney delves into the history of this groundbreaking machine and shows how its software, not just its engineering, was crucial to making it as influential as it was. She highlights how people bought the Apple II for its versatility and the range of things that it allowed them to do, including playing games, calculating math problems, and printing documents.

Nooney tells the story of how the hobbyist microcomputers of the 1970s eventually helped shape the personal computer landscape as we know it today. She explores the creation stories behind iconic software products like VisiCalc and The Print Shop, and delves into the world of game development with classics like Mystery House and Snooper Troops. By examining even the most obscure disk-cracking utilities, Nooney paints a comprehensive picture of the people and the industry behind the growth of microcomputing and why the Apple II played such a central role in this narrative.

If you’re interested in the history of personal computing, this book is an essential read. Nooney’s The Apple II Age offers fascinating insights into how this revolutionary machine helped change the way people use technology today.

From the Publisher: Details:

• Publisher: University of Chicago Press; First Edition (May 9, 2023)
• Language: English
• Hardcover: 352 pages
• ISBN-10: 0226816524
• ISBN-13: 978-0226816524
• Item Weight: 1.45 pounds
• Dimensions: 6 x 1.2 x 9 inches