Time Magazine's 'The Computer' (1982)

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Time Magazine's January 3, 1983 issue marked a significant departure from tradition by naming "The Computer" as its "Machine of the Year." This decision reflected the growing impact of personal computers on society. The cover featured a sculpture by George Segal, depicting a man contemplating a computer. The issue highlighted the rapid growth of the PC industry, with sales increasing from 724,000 in 1980 to nearly 3 million in 1982. It also referenced Apple's upcoming Lisa computer, which would introduce a graphical user interface to the market. The "Machine of the Year" designation underscored the transformative influence of computers in the early 1980s. The magazine noted the role of the IBM PC in setting industry standards and the anticipation of computers becoming as common as televisions. The issue included essays on the potential of computers in education and business, as well as profiles of key figures like Steve Jobs. This special edition remains a landmark in tech history, capturing the dawn of the personal computer era and its profound societal implications.