Tandy

Tandy Corporation, through its retail giant Radio Shack, played a pivotal role in the early personal computer revolution. In 1977, they launched the TRS-80 Model I — part of the famous "1977 Trinity" alongside the Apple II and Commodore PET. Affordable and widely available through thousands of Radio Shack stores, the TRS-80 became one of the first truly mass-market home computers.

In addition to the TRS-80 line, Tandy introduced the Color Computer series — affectionately known as the "CoCo" — starting with the original CoCo in 1980. Powered by the Motorola 6809 processor, the CoCo offered impressive color graphics and became a favorite among hobbyists, gamers, and programmers. The CoCo line spawned several models, including the CoCo 2 and CoCo 3, and built a loyal community that remains active today.

Throughout the 1980s, Tandy expanded into business systems and IBM PC-compatibles like the Tandy 1000 series. However, by the early 1990s, competition from cheaper clones led to Tandy’s gradual exit from the home computer market. Despite fading from the scene, Tandy and Radio Shack’s contributions — especially with the TRS-80 and CoCo — left an enduring mark on computing history.