Commodore 64's silver anniversary

[ Music ] ^M00:00:03 >> The fans came out by the hundreds, dodging the paparazzi, nibbling on fancy finger food and packing the lobby at the Computer History Museum. All in celebration of the Commodore 64's 25th Anniversary. >> Why does you want a signature? >> There's nothing like having it from the master's hand as they say. >> The master in this case is Jack Tramiel, the founder of Commodore International and the creator of what's considered the first personal computer. >> I've seen the first 2 years that this is an unbelievable it and this will change the world. And it did change the world and I'm proud that I was part of it. >> In 1982, the Commodore 64 debut at a shockingly low retail price of less than $600. >> Make a computer for the masses, not for the classes. >> The price and its BASIC programming language made it an instant hit with kids, gamers and programmers. >> Here's the whole of host of things from Commodore days. >> A-huh. >> That we have. Now they're inventory. >> During its 12-year life span, it sold tens and millions of units and now, enjoys a cult following. >> There's a lot of people out there today that who are, you have very fond memories of the Commodore 64 and the [inaudible] PC-enable too and they want to come back and relive and associate with the people who made it what it is today. >> Let me shake your hands, haven't seen you again in a while. >> Bil Herd is one man with special memories. He used to work for Commodore in the early 80's. >> I was a high school drop-out that understood how electrons work and I ended up being put in charge of several of the main computers, which included the Plus4 when I got there and then I designed the Commodore 128 and the LCD machine I took the initial architecture for that. >> What made you wanna come out this weekend? >> As soon as I heard Mr. Tramiel is here. So, you know, you just don't get Jack out in public and as you said that this is the first time and to have him at an event just drew me right away. >> Even Jack Tramiel's peers from the same era came out to celebrate this man's legacy. >> I had never met him face to face 'till tonight. Both of us were delighted to meet each other. He's been a hero of mine. He was one of the stars of this whole business, you know and pursuing these neat little devices, you know, computers for people in the home and for the masses and it's really where all my thinking start. >> I'm Kara Tsuboi reporting for CNET News.com. ^M00:02:19 [ Music ]