Creative Computing
The first personal computer magazine
David Ahl's pioneering magazine that covered personal computing from 1974 to 1985, predating the home computer revolution.
Overview
Creative Computing was one of the first magazines dedicated to personal computing, founded by David Ahl in 1974 - years before the Apple II or TRS-80. The magazine covered everything from mainframe time-sharing to the emerging microcomputer revolution, helping to build the community that would embrace home computers.
For over a decade, Creative Computing was essential reading for anyone interested in what computers could do beyond business applications.
Fast Facts
- Founded: 1974 (Morristown, NJ)
- Founder: David H. Ahl
- Final issue: December 1985
- Publisher: Ziff-Davis (later years)
- Focus: Personal and creative computing
- Circulation: ~300,000 at peak
Content
The magazine covered:
- Type-in programs - BASIC listings to enter
- Hardware reviews - From kits to commercial systems
- Software coverage - Games and applications
- Programming tutorials - Learning to code
- Industry news - Emerging microcomputer world
- Philosophy - Computing’s place in society
Historical Significance
Creative Computing documented:
- Pre-microcomputer hobbyist computing
- The Altair revolution (1975)
- Apple, Commodore, TRS-80 arrivals
- The rise of software industry
- Early video games
- Computing culture formation
Type-in Legacy
The magazine published hundreds of programs:
- Adapted from Ahl’s BASIC Computer Games
- Reader submissions
- Staff creations
- Multi-platform conversions
This established type-in programs as a learning method.
Notable Contributors
The magazine featured:
- David Ahl (founder, editor)
- Ted Nelson (hypertext pioneer)
- Various industry figures
- Active reader community
End of Era
By 1985, the market had fragmented:
- Platform-specific magazines dominated
- Professional software replaced type-ins
- Business computing eclipsed hobbyist focus
Creative Computing ceased publication, its foundational work complete.