# Ed Roberts

> American engineer, entrepreneur and medical doctor (1941–2010)

**Wikidata**: [Q446839](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q446839)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ed_Roberts_(computer_engineer))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/ed-roberts

## Summary
Ed Roberts was an American engineer, entrepreneur, and medical doctor (1941–2010) best known for co-founding MITS (Micro Instrumentation and Telemetry Systems) and inventing the Altair 8800, one of the first personal computers. His work laid the foundation for the personal computing revolution.

## Biography
- Born: September 13, 1941, Miami, United States
- Nationality: United States
- Education: Oklahoma State University, Mercer University, University of Miami, Miami High School
- Known for: Inventing the Altair 8800, a pioneering personal computer
- Employer(s): MITS (Micro Instrumentation and Telemetry Systems)
- Field(s): Computer science, engineering, entrepreneurship

## Contributions
Ed Roberts is best known for co-founding MITS in 1975 and designing the Altair 8800, the first commercially successful personal computer. The Altair 8800, released in 1975, was based on the Intel 8080 microprocessor and featured a front-panel switch array for programming. Its success sparked the personal computing revolution, inspiring companies like Apple and Microsoft. Roberts also served in the United States Air Force and practiced medicine before transitioning into engineering and entrepreneurship.

## FAQs
### Q: What was Ed Roberts' most famous invention?
A: Ed Roberts is best known for inventing the Altair 8800, one of the first personal computers, which helped launch the personal computing industry.

### Q: Did Ed Roberts have any other notable careers besides computing?
A: Yes, Roberts was a medical doctor and served in the United States Air Force before becoming an engineer and entrepreneur.

### Q: What was MITS, and what role did Ed Roberts play in it?
A: MITS (Micro Instrumentation and Telemetry Systems) was the company Roberts co-founded, which produced the Altair 8800 and played a key role in the early personal computing market.

### Q: How did the Altair 8800 impact the tech industry?
A: The Altair 8800 was a groundbreaking product that inspired other companies to enter the personal computer market, directly contributing to the growth of the industry.

### Q: What was Ed Roberts' cause of death?
A: Ed Roberts died on April 1, 2010, from pneumonia.

## Why They Matter
Ed Roberts' invention of the Altair 8800 in 1975 marked a pivotal moment in computing history. His work demonstrated the commercial viability of personal computers, paving the way for the industry's explosive growth in the 1980s. The Altair 8800's open architecture and modular design influenced countless subsequent computer designs. Roberts' contributions helped establish the personal computing market, directly benefiting companies like Apple, Microsoft, and IBM. His legacy endures in the foundational role his invention played in shaping modern computing.

## Notable For
- Invented the Altair 8800, the first commercially successful personal computer.
- Co-founded MITS (Micro Instrumentation and Telemetry Systems), a key player in early personal computing.
- Served in the United States Air Force and practiced medicine before transitioning into engineering.
- His work laid the groundwork for the personal computing revolution of the 1980s.
- Recognized for his pioneering role in the development of early microcomputers.

## Body
### Early Life and Education
Ed Roberts was born on September 13, 1941, in Miami, Florida. He attended Miami High School before earning degrees from Oklahoma State University, Mercer University, and the University of Miami. Roberts also served in the United States Air Force and practiced medicine before pursuing engineering and entrepreneurship.

### Invention of the Altair 8800
In 1975, Roberts co-founded MITS and designed the Altair 8800, the first commercially successful personal computer. The Altair 8800 was based on the Intel 8080 microprocessor and featured a front-panel switch array for programming. Its release sparked the personal computing revolution, inspiring companies like Apple and Microsoft.

### Legacy and Impact
Roberts' Altair 8800 played a crucial role in the development of the personal computing industry. His open architecture and modular design influenced countless subsequent computer designs. The invention helped establish the personal computing market, directly benefiting companies like Apple, Microsoft, and IBM. Roberts' legacy endures in the foundational role his work played in shaping modern computing.

### Personal Life and Death
Roberts had six children and died on April 1, 2010, from pneumonia. His contributions to computing and entrepreneurship remain influential in the tech industry.

## References

1. [Source](http://www.computerhistory.org/collections/catalog/102740010)
2. SNAC
3. [Source](http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/03/business/03roberts.html)
4. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013