Commodore

Commodore International was a pioneering force in personal computing, founded in the 1950s by Jack Tramiel. Originally a typewriter and calculator company, Commodore shifted to computing in the mid-1970s, acquiring MOS Technology and launching the PET series in 1977. With integrated keyboards, monitors, and data storage, the PET quickly became a classroom staple.

But it was the Commodore 64 that sealed its legacy — released in 1982, it became the best-selling single model computer of all time. Known for its accessible price, robust graphics and sound, and massive software library, the C64 became a cultural icon. Commodore also introduced the VIC-20, the powerful Amiga line, and even ventured into early multimedia and home video systems. Despite fierce innovation, mismanagement and a fragmented product line led to its decline, with Commodore filing for bankruptcy in 1994. Yet its legacy lives on in the hearts of enthusiasts and the DNA of modern computing.