Atari ST
A line of 16 and 32-bit home computers from 1985 that was the first with a bitmapped color graphical interface.
Atari Corporation introduced the Atari ST as the successor to the Atari 8-bit computers. The first model, the 520ST, had a limited release from April to June 1985 and was widely available in July.
It was the first personal computer with a bitmapped color graphical interface, using a version of Digital Research's GEM environment. The 1040ST, released in 1986 with 1 MB of memory, was the first home computer with a cost per kilobyte of RAM under one dollar.
Why it matters
Jack Tramiel bought the assets of the Atari, Inc. consumer division in 1984 to create Atari Corporation. A small team led by Shiraz Shivji designed the 520ST in five months. In Germany and some other markets, the ST gained a foothold for CAD and desktop publishing.
Key facts
- 520ST widely available in July 1985.
- First personal computer with a bitmapped color graphical interface.
- Designed in five months by a team led by Shiraz Shivji.
- 1040ST had 1 MB of memory in 1986.
- ST stands for Sixteen and Thirty-two.
Sources
- Wikipedia, "Atari ST", en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atari_ST, accessed October 14, 2026.
- Wikipedia, "Atari Corporation", en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atari_Corporation, background reading, accessed October 14, 2026.