Adam Osbourne dead at 64

osborne portable computerSome people have fond memories of their first bike or their first record player; I get that warm nostalgic feeling when I think about our family’s first portable computer. My dad purchased an Osborne 1 when I was only a wee little tike, a big monster of a suitcase box that used some mysterious thing called CP/M to make video games and print words out on its tiny little screen.

It’s funny that some stupid, clunky piece of techno-memorabilia could cause such a torrent of emotions and memories. But you have to admit, it is kind of cute in its antiqueness with a little bubbly screen and extra-spacious keyboard. It makes me wonder, in the day of ATX cases and LCD screens, will kids of this generation share my experience? I’d assume not, but I guess I’m just jealously guarding my unique suitcase-computer.

Maybe Apple has it right: these digital artifacts aren’t just tools, they’re objects that are part of our personal experiences, things we become attached to. I’d much rather bond with a Mac Classic than a vanilla PC. But I guess not everyone is the same.. hell, the second world lasted for quite some time.

Anyway, I’m in mourning today, as Adam Osborne, eccentric engineer and inventor of the portable (luggable) computer passed away at 64.

Yahoo News: Adam Osborne, Portable Computer Pioneer, Dead at 64

March 25, 2003 #
11 comments

10 Comments

  1. Carole Forest
    Posted March 25, 2003 at 12:52 pm | Permalink

    I actually toted that thing on airplanes and it was very heavy. Not what we would call portable today by any means. But I too have fond memories of it and the magic that it could perform.

  2. Justin Marlow
    Posted March 25, 2003 at 7:48 pm | Permalink

    It has one cool video game that came with it. Do you remember, it was like a pac man game with mushrooms and goblins or something. I wonder if Dad still has it?

  3. cameron
    Posted March 25, 2003 at 8:29 pm | Permalink

    Munchkins.

    Unfortunately, while you can emulate CP/M on a Macintosh, and many CP/M games are freely available, Munchkins is not one of them.

    If only Bill Gates hadn’t ruined things by selling a shotty, lesser OS to IBM, we might still be playing Munchkins today.

  4. Justin
    Posted March 26, 2003 at 6:13 pm | Permalink

    OMG, how did you remember that!! You are the master!!

  5. justin
    Posted March 27, 2003 at 3:46 pm | Permalink

    I wonder how Ozzy is taking it?

  6. aisling
    Posted April 5, 2003 at 3:39 pm | Permalink

    don’t you mean shoddy? i’ve no idea what you’re actually talking about, but thought i’d mention that wee error.

  7. Dr. Cornell C. Frank
    Posted May 2, 2003 at 10:46 pm | Permalink

    Dr. Adam Osborne and I considered ourselves casual friends. We were always happy to see each other at computer related events. I am deeply saddened to learn of his untimely passing. Thanks Adam for the wonderful memories. The world would not be at the current junction without you. Rest in peace, dear friend.

  8. tolo
    Posted August 19, 2003 at 11:30 am | Permalink

    You mean, “If only Gary Kildall hadn’t ruined things by playing golf instead of selling his OS to IBM, we might still be playing Munchkins today”, don’t you??

  9. Alicia Bell
    Posted February 6, 2006 at 11:59 am | Permalink

    I love Adam Ousbourne i am such a geek and i love to study computers so will you send me information on him and pictures of him.Gotta go cause my glasses need cleaning.SNARKLES!!!

  10. A Civiello
    Posted March 1, 2006 at 10:21 pm | Permalink

    Can you tell me more about Adam Osbourne.
    I am doing a presentation at school and would like to know some of his motivations when making the first portable computer. And also when did he create the first laptop

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