The Xerox Alto, precursor to the Mac

[Sunray]

I've been fascinated by this YouTuber who restores old, historically significant computer hardware. He does lots of things and videos, but one thing that really got my attention was his series where he restores an Alto. This is the machine created at the Xerox Palo Alto research centre. If you don't know about the Alto it's the 1st graphical mouse-based system. Steve Jobs had a demo on a tour of the centre. He later copied it creating the Mac and MacOS. Nothing new there.

The playlist is here,


I loved watching the whole restore but if you're not into that, but are into computer history, watch part 17 as they demo the Alto.

I've always heard about this machine with reference to Steve Jobs and the creation of the Mac. But I'd never seen a full demo. Amazing.

 

[a_chap]

His (CuriousMarc's) series of videos following the restoration of an Apollo AGC is incredible to watch.

It should be mandatory viewing for anyone who's interested in rocketry and "space".

 

[Throbbing Angel]

I've always heard about this machine with reference to Steve Jobs and the creation of the Mac. But I'd never seen a full demo. Amazing.

Bill Gates also did one of those Xerox tours and hired PARC staff.

There's a good timeline article about it on medium.com called The Xerox Thieves

 

[Crispy]

Bingeing that. Cheers

 

[editor]

Imagine knowing that much about computers!