SOL-20
The SOL-20 was one of the first computers to come in a complete, usable form with built-in keyboard and video output, released in 1976 by Processor Technology. It was designed by Lee Felsenstein, a key figure in the Homebrew Computer Club and a pioneer of open computing design.
Unlike many contemporaries that relied on external terminals or toggle switches, the SOL-20 came with a full-travel keyboard, integrated video display support, and ran software from cassette storage. It was a breakthrough in usability and aesthetics for the personal computer market.
💡 Did You Know?
- The SOL-20’s wooden case sides became an iconic design touch, symbolising its bridge between home and industrial computing.
- It was often used with CP/M or custom monitors depending on configuration and expansion.
- The SOL Terminal Computer was originally designed as a smart terminal but quickly evolved into a full-fledged microcomputer.