To CSL Date
December 19, 1972
From Butler
Lampson
Location Palo Alto
Subject Why Alto
Organization PARC
1. Introduction
This memo discusses the reasons for
making a substantial number (10-30) of copies
of the personal computer called Alto which has been designed by Chuck Thacker and others. The original
motivation for this machine was provided by
Alan Kay, who needs about 15-20 'interim Dynabooks'
Systems for his education research. Alto has a much broader range of applications than this origin might suggest,
however. I will begin by outlining its
characteristics, and then go on to consider some of the many exciting uses to which Alto can be put. It turns
out that there is some interaction
with almost every CSL research program.