ALTAIR, IMSAI, Dazzler und CP/M | Vintage Computing Festival Berlin 2024

The Dazzler was the first graphics card for hobbyist computers in 1975, creating simple 32x32 raster graphics displays at an affordable price point of around $300

Intel’s 8080 microprocessor (1974) was a pivotal chip that enabled affordable hobbyist computers, with an instruction set that influenced the later 8086 and x86 architecture

The S-100 bus standard allowed interchangeable expansion cards and hardware compatibility between early microcomputers like the Altair and IMSAI

CP/M (Control Program for Microprocessors) became the dominant operating system for 8080/Z80 systems, providing a standard platform for software development

Early computer graphics were primarily vector-based (like Tektronix terminals) before frame buffer approaches became feasible with cheaper memory

The Silicon Valley ecosystem of the 1970s enabled rapid innovation through:

• Open knowledge sharing between hobbyists
• Access to technology from established companies
• Active computer clubs and communities
• Affordable hardware for experimentation

Video terminals like the ADM-3A and Lear Siegler replaced expensive teletypes as primary I/O devices

Early storage was primarily paper tape and audio cassettes, with floppy drives being an expensive luxury

The hobbyist computer movement required users to have electronics skills for assembly, debugging and modifications

The period 1975-1980 marked the transition from expensive minicomputers to affordable microcomputer systems for individuals