The irresistible charm of Commodore

The world of computer science has known a leading figure, a pioneer who changed the course of the history of the industry. This man is Jack Tramiel, the genius behind the Commodore brand, whose fascinating story is told in a compelling way in the book "The Irresistible Charm of Commodore", kindly given to me by Lorenzo Vivarelli, the author of this volume that sheds light on one of the largest IT companies of the past years.

At the bottom of this article, you can download the text of the book for free “The irresistible charm of Commodore" in PDF format, in special edition for my blog www.valoroso.it.

Lorenzo Vivarelli's book is only available in Italian, given that a book called "Commodore: a Company on the Edge", written by Brian Bagnall.

For those who prefer the paper format, it is available for a fee on several online stores, including LULU.

The irresistible charm of Commodore.
The Rise of the Most Beloved Computer Society and Its Fall.

Lorenzo Vivarelli, the author of the book

Jack Tramiel: A Survival Hero

Jack Tramiel's story is an extraordinary example of resilience and determination. Born in Poland in 1928 to a Jewish family, Tramiel was deported to Auschwitz during World War II, but miraculously survived. Despite this dramatic start to his life, Jack managed to emigrate to the United States and found the company that would make history in the world of computing.

The irresistible charm of Commodore – evolution

Initially, Commodore was a company that was in the business of manufacturing typewriters and calculators. Only later did it enter the world of computers, becoming one of the main protagonists of the home computer era. The acquisition of MOS Technology, a company specializing in chip manufacturing, was a key strategic move for Commodore, allowing it to develop innovative computers for the time.

The book takes us through the history of Commodore, examining the microprocessors produced by MOS Technology, including the famous MOS 6502. In addition to microprocessors, MOS produced the chips that powered the series of iconic computers that left an indelible mark on the history of computing.

Commodore computers

The book “The Irresistible Charm of Commodore” offers a comprehensive overview of the 8-bit computers produced by Commodore, which have captured the admiration of users around the world. Among the best known models, there are:

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PET 2001 (1977): This machine was one of the first to pave the way for the era of personal computers.
Vic-20 (1981): Known for being the first affordable computer, the Vic-20 helped democratize computing.
Commodore 64 (1982): With over 17 million units sold, the Commodore 64 is one of the best-selling computers of all time, thanks to its power and vast library of games available.
Series 264 (1984): this series was not as successful as hoped, with the Commodore Plus/4, Commodore 16 and Commodore 116 models.
Commodore 128 (1985): Acting as the successor to the C64, the C128 offered greater power and versatility thanks to the help of a second microprocessor (the Z80, in addition to the MOS 8502).

The irresistible charm Commodore, a book by Lorenzo Vivarelli, the story of the company that changed the world of computing, the rise of the most beloved computer company and its fall

The Amiga Legacy

After Jack Tramiel's ouster as Commodore, the company continued to produce successful computers. In particular, it acquired the rights to produce Amiga computers. The first model, the Amiga 1000, stunned the world in 1985 with its advanced graphics capabilities and high-quality sound. Subsequently, in 1987, the Amiga 500 and 2000 models were introduced, intended for the home (Amiga 500) and business (Amiga 2000) markets. In the following years, there were other Amiga models, such as the Amiga 1200 and the Amiga 4000. These computers have left an indelible mark on the history of gaming and graphics.

The irresistible charm of Commodore – the internal twists

In addition to the discussion of the computers produced by the company, the book also explores the internal aspects of Commodore, highlighting the key people who contributed to the company's success and downfall. Visionary management and creative design engineers are presented as the real architects behind Commodore computers. We are not only talking about Jack Tramiel, the founder of Commodore, but also about financiers and investors, such as C. Powell Morgan and Irving Gould.
Key management figures when Jack Tramiel was dismissed by Commodore are indicated, such as, for example, Thomas Rattigan.
Engineers, designers, and programmers are also mentioned, such as Chuck Peddle, Bill Gates, Albert Charpentier, Robert Yannes, Robert Russell, Dave DiOrio, Bill Herd, Dave Haynie, Jay Glenn Miner, Carl Sassenrath, and Robert J. Mical.

The Fall of the Giant

Unfortunately, as can happen in the business world, Commodore has also been through difficult times. In 1994, the company filed for bankruptcy, marking the end of an era. After its closure, several companies tried to take over and market the Amiga's production rights, but the brand never managed to recover its former glory.