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Xerox Alto

Also Known As Alto
Experimental Workstation

The Xerox Alto is a computer system developed at Xerox PARC in the early 1970s, widely regarded as one of the first workstations or personal computers. It pioneered a graphical user interface, the computer mouse, Ethernet networking, WYSIWYG text editing and multitasking, using a bit mapped display. This description is adapted from Wikipedia contributors under CC BY-SA 4.0; changes were made. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

Facts
Disputed
Significance
Established foundational concepts for personal computing that directly influenced the Apple Lisa and Macintosh and the broader workstation industry, despite never being sold commercially in large numbers. 1
The article describes the Alto as arguably 'the first personal computer,' but notes the title is disputed, since it was never sold as a commercial product and other machines have competing claims.
Year
1973 1
Connections

Associated With

Ethernet, Systems
Source Wikipedia: Xerox Alto
Xerox NoteTaker, Systems

Both the Xerox Alto and the Xerox NoteTaker are Xerox PARC personal-computing research systems of the same design lineage; the NoteTaker realized Alan Kay's Dynabook concept in portable form.

In Field

Human Computer Interaction, Fields
Source Wikipedia: Xerox Alto

Influenced

Macintosh, Systems

Apples 1979 visit to Xerox PARC to see the Alto directly shaped the graphical user interface and mouse design later shipped in the Macintosh.

Invented By

Butler Lampson, Pioneers

Butler Lampson was a principal designer of the Xerox Alto at Xerox PARC, the first computer built around a graphical user interface and mouse.

Source Wikipedia: Butler Lampson
Charles P. Thacker, Pioneers

Charles P. Thacker was the principal hardware designer of the Xerox Alto at Xerox PARC, work later cited in his 2009 Turing Award.

Sources
1. Wikipedia: Xerox Alto
Wikipedia
  • Opening paragraph, main article body
    It is considered one of the first workstations or personal computers, and its development pioneered many aspects of modern computing.
  • Opening paragraph, on disputed title
  • Infobox, introduction date
  • Introduction
  • In Field: Human Computer Interaction
  • Associated With: Ethernet, Opening paragraph, on Ethernet pioneering
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