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, United States (USA) (American Colonies)
1983 - The laptop computer is invented (Radio Shack Corp., United States)
In 1983, the TRS-80 Model 100, often recognized as the first widely accessible laptop computer, was introduced in the United States by Radio Shack Corporation. This notebook-style computer, roughly the size and shape of a large notepad or book, featured a built-in keyboard and liquid crystal display (LCD) and was powered by batteries, making it portable in a way that few computers had been before.
The device was originally manufactured by Kyocera in Japan under the name Kyotronic 85. While sales in Japan were modest, the rights to the machine were acquired by Tandy Corporation, which marketed it through Radio Shack stores in the United States and Canada, as well as through affiliated dealers internationally. Its portability, simplicity, and relative affordability quickly made it a hit, particularly among journalists, writers, and business professionals who needed to work on the go. Over time, more than six million units were sold worldwide, cementing its status as a pioneering device in mobile computing.
The TRS-80 Model 100 helped define the concept of a personal, portable computer, demonstrating that computing could move beyond the desk and into the hands of everyday users. It laid the groundwork for the development of modern laptops, notebooks, and eventually tablets, marking a significant milestone in the evolution of technology that would transform both professional and personal life in the decades to come.
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