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How the Apollo Space Race Led to the Invention of the Laptop

Writer's picture: Jordan O'NeillJordan O'Neill

The Apollo space race of the 1960s was one of humanity’s greatest achievements. The challenge? Sending astronauts to the moon and bringing them back safely. This required groundbreaking technological advancements—one of which was the development of the first portable computer. Without the Apollo missions, we might not have the modern laptop sitting on our desks today!

Illustration of the Apollo Guidance Computer transforming into a modern laptop, showcasing the evolution of computing from the 1960s space race to today’s technology

The Birth of the First "Laptop"


When NASA engineers were designing the Apollo Guidance Computer (AGC), they needed a system that was:

✅ Lightweight

✅ Compact

✅ Reliable

✅ Power-efficient


At the time, computers were the size of entire rooms! The idea of something small and portable was revolutionary. The AGC became the first compact computer, weighing just 70 lbs (light compared to computers of that era!). It used a primitive form of what we now call RAM and was programmed using punch cards and wire memory.


How the Apollo Tech Paved the Way for Laptops


The innovations of the AGC inspired companies to make computers smaller and more accessible. By the 1980s, IBM, Osborne, and other manufacturers released portable computers that, while bulky by today’s standards, were the ancestors of modern laptops.

Today, we carry powerful laptops that are thousands of times faster than the Apollo computers—yet, they fit in our backpacks.


What This Means for You


Even though laptops today are incredibly advanced, they still break down, overheat, or slow down—just like any other piece of technology. That’s where Laptop Repair Base Preston comes in! Whether your laptop has a cracked screen, won’t charge, or runs slower than a 1960s computer, we can get it back to peak performance.


🔧 Laptop repairs | Upgrades | Data recovery | Virus removal & more!

📍 Visit us at Laptop Repair Base Preston or call us today!

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