Home computing in the early days relied heavily on a variety of peripherals to offer a fully functional experience. This article explores the lesser-known yet vital peripherals that contributed to the evolution of personal computing, giving us a glimpse into the technological leaps of the past.
Vintage Modems: The Gateway to Early Networking
Before Wi-Fi and broadband, home computer users relied on dial-up modems to connect to the internet. These devices were often external, connecting to computers via serial ports. With speeds ranging from 300 to 56Kbps, modems were a revolutionary tool, allowing users to send emails, access bulletin boards, and even transfer files long before the modern web came into existence.
Popular modems included models from companies like US Robotics and Hayes, which became synonymous with early internet connectivity. Modems became essential peripherals for early computer enthusiasts, marking the beginning of online communities and the internet age.
CRT Monitors: The Bulky Visuals of Vintage Computing
Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) monitors were the primary display devices for home computers during the 80s and 90s. Though bulky, these monitors provided the graphical output needed for both text-based and graphical user interfaces.
Notably, brands like Commodore and IBM produced iconic CRT monitors that were staples in many households. Despite their large size and weight, CRT monitors were crucial for a visual computing experience, and their design influenced later developments in monitor technology.
External Storage Devices: The Lifeblood of Data Transfer
While floppy drives are well-known, other external storage devices like zip drives and tape backup systems played a key role in early home computing. These peripherals allowed users to store large amounts of data, long before hard drives became standard in home computers.
Zip drives, introduced by Iomega, were particularly popular in the mid-90s, offering greater storage capacity than floppy disks, while tape backup systems were used to safeguard essential data.