Commodore

Commodore

One of the first personal computer companies. In 1977, Commodore Business Machines, West Chester, PA, introduced the PET computer and launched the personal computer industry along with Apple and Radio Shack. In 1982, it introduced the Commodore 64 (64K RAM) and later the Commodore 128. These were popular home computers, and over 10 million were sold.

In 1985, the Amiga series was introduced, which continued to offer advanced imaging and video capabilities at affordable prices. A line of IBM-compatible PCs was also introduced, but the Amiga series was Commodore's mainstay until May 1994, when it went into bankruptcy. See Amiga.

The Commodore PET

In 1977, the Commodore PET, Apple II and TRS-80 launched the personal computer industry. The $595 PET, which stood for Personal Electronic Transactor, contained its own tape cassette (on the left) and a whopping 4K of memory. (Image courtesy of Commodore Business Machines, Inc.)

The Amiga and Video Toaster

The Amiga, combined with NewTek's Video Toaster system, was often considered the most affordable broadcast-quality video system on the market. Digital effects are created in the Amiga and converted back out to the analog tape decks in real time. (Image courtesy of NewTek, Inc.)

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commodore

1. the senior captain of a shipping line

2. the officer in command of a convoy of merchant ships

3. the senior flag office of a yacht or boat club

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Commodore 

(1) A high rank in knightly medieval and religious orders.

(2) A high rank in the hierarchy of Masonic lodges.

(3) In the USSR (before 1926), Western Europe, and the USA, the title of the president of a yacht club.

(4) The head administrator of horse, ski, bicycle, motorcycle, automobile, and other races and tours.

(5) In Great Britain, the Netherlands, and several other countries, the rank of a commander of a group of ships who does not hold the rank of admiral.

(6) In Russia from the early 18th century to the early 19th, the naval rank (Russian, komandor) between captain first class and rear admiral fourth class.