1978

• Apple Computer demonstrates its first working prototype Apple II disk drive at the Consumer Electronics Show, in Las Vegas.
• Ward Christianson and Randy Suess begin building the Computerized Bulletin Board System, in Chicago, Illinois.

• The first major microcomputer bulletin board, run by Ward Christensen and Randy Seuss, goes online, in Chicago, Illinois, USA.

• The Second West Coast Computer Faire is held, in San Jose, California.

• Stephen Dorsey signs an agreement with Philips to sell them 80% ownership of Micom Data Systems.
• Intel begins production of the 8086 microprocessor. It is created by two engineers in just three weeks. Work on the processor began when it was realized that the i432 project was in trouble.

• Intel introduces the 4.77-MHz 8086 microprocessor. It uses 16-bit registers, a 16-bit data bus, and 29,000 transistors, using 3-micron technology. Price is US$360. It can access 1 MB of memory. Speed is 0.33 MIPS. Later speeds included 8-MHz (0.66 MIPS) and 10-MHz (0.75 MIPS).
• Microsoft ships Microsoft COBOL.
• Apple Computer introduces the Disk II, a 5.25 inch floppy disk drive linked to the Apple II by cable. Price: US$495, including controller card.
• The National Computer Conference is held in Anaheim, California. Attendance is 57,240.
• Pertec ceases production of the Altair.

• MicroPro introduces WordMaster.
• Digital Equipment opens a retail store in a shopping mall, for selling small computer systems priced below US$10,000.
• Paul Terrell demonstrates the Z80-based Exidy Sorcerer at the Personal Computing Show in Philadelphia.

• The first Personal Computer Expo is held, in New York City.
• The first issue of SoftSide is published, for TRS-80 enthusiasts.

• Epson announces the MX-80 dot matrix printer, which established a new standard in high performance with low price for printers.
• Atari announces the Atari 400 and 800 personal computers, using the 6502 microprocessor. The Atari 800 was code-named "Colleen".
• Microsoft's sales for the year reach US$1 million.

• Dan Bricklin completes a BASIC program demonstrating his proposed spreadsheet application.

• Commodore establishes a dealer network for its line of personal computers.

• Dennis Hayes begins Hayes Microcomputer Products.

• Apple Computer hires Chuck Peddle, designer of the 6502 microprocessor and Commodore's PET.

• Personal Software company software publisher Dan Fylstra loans an Apple II to Dan Bricklin to create his spreadsheet program.

• Microsoft begins developing BASIC for the Intel 8086 processor.

• Seymour Rubenstein forms MicroPro International.

• Apple Computer begins work on an enhanced Apple II with custom chips, code-named Annie.

• Apple Computer begins work on a supercomputer with a bit-sliced architecture, code-named Lisa.

• Chuck Peddle quits Apple Computer and returns to Commodore.

• Taito develops the Space Invaders arcade game in Japan.

• Taito releases the Space Invaders game to arcade centers.

• Exidy Systems introduces the Sorcerer Microcomputer.

• Bally begins shipping its Bally Professional Arcade game.

• Texas Instruments introduces the TMS-4164, a single 5V 64KB programmable memory chip. Initial price is US$125.

• Cinematronics releases Space Wars to arcades.

• IBM scientist John Cocke produces the 801 computer, a RISC prototype named after the laboratory building it was built in.

• Tandy opens its first dedicated computer center.

• Scientific Micro Systems introduces the Signetics 8x300 microprocessor.

• Apple Computer begins research and development on what would become the Lisa.

• APF Electronics introduces the MP-1000 video game unit.

• Scott Adams founds Adventure International.

• Christopher Curry founds Acorn Computer Ltd. in England.

• Bob Frankston and Dan Bricklin found Software Arts.

• Xerox donates 50 Alto computers to Stanford, Carnegie-Mellon, and MIT.

• Magnavox releases the Odyssey2 cartridge-based console game system.

• Hermann Hauser founds Acorn Computers, in England.

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