In today's fast-paced world, handheld computers have become an integral part of our daily lives. From smartphones to tablets, these devices offer unparalleled convenience, allowing us to stay connected, informed, and entertained at all times. But have you ever wondered who created the first handheld computer and how it came into existence? In this article, we will delve into the fascinating history of handheld computing and explore the visionary mind behind the first handheld computer.

The Genesis of Handheld Computing

The concept of handheld computing can be traced back to the early 1960s, when Alan Kay, a computer scientist at the Xerox Palo Alto Research Center (PARC), envisioned a portable, easy-to-use computer that would revolutionize the way people interact with information. He called this device the "Dynabook," and although it was never built, its ideas laid the groundwork for the development of personal computers and handheld devices.

Fast forward to the 1970s, when a young engineer named John Ellenby entered the scene. Having worked on the development of early mainframe computers at companies like Ferranti and Univac, Ellenby had a deep understanding of computer technology. He recognized the potential of Kay's ideas and set out to create a handheld computer that would bring the power of computing to the masses.

The First Handheld Computer: The Psion Organiser

In 1984, Ellenby, along with David Potter and Charles Davies, founded Psion, a British company that would create the world's first handheld computer. Known as the Psion Organiser, this groundbreaking device was the size of a pocket calculator and featured a small keyboard and a one-line LCD display.

The Psion Organiser was powered by a 0.9 MHz processor and had a whopping 2KB of RAM, which was expandable to 16KB. It ran on a proprietary operating system called POS, which allowed users to write and store simple programs in a built-in programming language called OPL (Organiser Programming Language). The Organiser also had a diary, a calculator, and a simple database for storing contacts and appointments.

Despite its limited capabilities by today's standards, the Psion Organiser was a revolutionary device at the time. It was the first computer that could truly be called "handheld," as it was small enough to fit in a pocket and could be operated with one hand. Moreover, it was affordable, with a starting price of around ￡99, making it accessible to a wide range of users.

The Evolution of Handheld Computing

The Psion Organiser paved the way for a new era of handheld computing. In 1989, Psion released the Organiser II, which featured a larger screen, more memory, and improved software. This was followed by the Psion Series 3 in 1991, which boasted a graphical user interface (GUI), a clamshell design, and expanded functionality, including word processing, spreadsheet, and database applications.

The 1990s also saw the emergence of other handheld computing devices, such as Apple's Newton MessagePad and the Palm Pilot. These devices, known as Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), were designed to help users manage their personal information, such as contacts, appointments, and to-do lists. They also introduced touchscreens and stylus input, which would become standard features in future handheld computers.

As technology advanced, handheld computers continued to evolve, incorporating features like wireless connectivity, multimedia capabilities, and GPS navigation. The introduction of smartphones, such as the iPhone and Android devices, marked a major milestone in handheld computing, as these devices combined the functionality of PDAs with the communication capabilities of mobile phones.

Today, handheld computers come in various forms, from smartphones and tablets to wearable devices like smartwatches. They have become indispensable tools for work, communication, entertainment, and more, and their capabilities continue to expand with each new generation of devices.

The Legacy of John Ellenby and the First Handheld Computer

John Ellenby's vision and determination to create the first handheld computer have had a profound impact on the world of technology. The Psion Organiser set the stage for the development of handheld computing devices that would transform the way we live, work, and communicate.

Ellenby's contributions to the field of computing have not gone unnoticed. In 2000, he was awarded the prestigious Computer Entrepreneur Award by the IEEE Computer Society for his pioneering work in handheld computing. Sadly, Ellenby passed away in 2016, but his legacy lives on in the countless handheld devices that have followed in the footsteps of the Psion Organiser.

As we continue to embrace the convenience and power of handheld computers, it is important to remember the trailblazers like John Ellenby who made these devices possible. Their innovative spirit and dedication to pushing the boundaries of technology have forever changed the way we interact with the digital world.