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Tech District · VIDEO ESSAY

The Fascinating Story of the Altair 8800, the Kit That Launched Microsoft and the PC Revolution

The Altair 8800 was more than just a computer kit—it became one of the machines that helped ignite the personal computer revolution. Built in Albuquerque by MITS, it inspired a new generation of hobbyists, helped launch Microsoft through Bill Gates and Paul Allen’s BASIC software, and showed the world that computers could belong on ordinary desks. This video explores the fascinating story of the Altair 8800, how it became a sensation, and why its legacy still matters in the history of personal computing.

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About this video

The Altair 8800 was more than just a computer kit—it became one of the machines that helped ignite the personal computer revolution. Built in Albuquerque by MITS, it inspired a new generation of hobbyists, helped launch Microsoft through Bill Gates and Paul Allen’s BASIC software, and showed the world that computers could belong on ordinary desks.

This video explores the fascinating story of the Altair 8800, how it became a sensation, and why its legacy still matters in the history of personal computing.

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