Home Computers: 100 Icons that Defined a Digital Generation

Discovering the Digital Past: Home Computers

Home Computers: 100 Icons that Defined a Digital Generation is a beautifully illustrated history of early personal computing and the advertising that surrounded it. More than just a book, it’s a visual time capsule that captures the excitement, experimentation, and personality of home computers from the late 1970s through the 1990s.

Photographed by John Short and written by Alex Wiltshire, this 256-page volume dives deep into the design details that defined early machines—switches, ports, user interfaces, letterforms, logos, and the unmistakable quirks that made each computer feel unique.

Growing up in this era, many of the machines featured feel instantly familiar. From the Commodore VIC-20 to the Atari 520 and 1024 (complete with its MIDI socket), the book captures a period where rapid innovation made each new computer feel genuinely groundbreaking.

The book opens flat, making it perfect for browsing and reference, with high-quality paper and crisp photography throughout. Each entry is paired with contemporary advertising, offering insight into how these machines were marketed and perceived at the time.

This is an excellent gift for computer teachers, IT support staff, designers, or anyone with an interest in the history of technology. It works equally well as a coffee-table book or a serious visual reference.

Highly recommended for tech enthusiasts and educators alike.

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