Voja Antonić
Galaksija designer
The Yugoslav engineer who designed the Galaksija computer and published its complete schematics in a magazine, enabling thousands to build their own computers.
Overview
Voja Antonić is a Yugoslav (Serbian) engineer who designed the Galaksija computer in 1983. By publishing complete schematics in a magazine, he enabled thousands of people to build their own computers from available parts—a unique achievement in computing history.
Fast Facts
- Nationality: Yugoslav/Serbian
- Known for: Galaksija computer
- Published: January 1984
- Philosophy: Computing for everyone
- Legacy: DIY computing pioneer
The Galaksija Project
| Aspect | Approach |
|---|---|
| Design goal | Buildable by hobbyists |
| Parts | Locally available components |
| Distribution | Free via magazine |
| Support | Follow-up articles |
Design Philosophy
Antonić believed that if commercial computers weren’t available or affordable, people should be able to build their own. He designed the Galaksija specifically to be:
- Simple enough to build
- Cheap enough to afford
- Capable enough to be useful
Impact
| Effect | Result |
|---|---|
| Builders | Estimated 8,000+ units |
| Education | Taught hardware and software |
| Community | Active user base |
| Careers | Launched engineering careers |
Legacy
Antonić demonstrated that computing knowledge could spread outside commercial channels. His open publication of designs predated the open-source movement and embodied maker culture decades before that term existed.