Released in August 1981, the IBM PC is perhaps one of
the most important computers in history. It originated the basic
architecture computers still use today, it flung the doors open to
a thriving clone market, and created an ad-hoc set of standards.
The heart of the operation, Intel's 8088, solidified the x86
architecture as the computing platform of the future. IBM
accomplished this runaway success by breaking all their own rules,
heavily leveraging 3rd party hardware and software, and by cutting
as many corners as possible. The PC was designed in less than a
year, so how did it become the most enduring design in the
industry?