Michael Tomczyk - The Home Computer Wars

The Home Computer Wars

In early 1980, Tomczyk joined Commodore as Marketing Strategist and Assistant to the President (Commodore founder Jack Tramiel). When Tramiel announced that he wanted to develop a low cost affordable home computer “for the masses, not the classes,” Tomczyk embraced the concept and aggressively championed the new computer, insisting that it be “user friendly.” Tomczyk and Tramiel named the new computer the “VIC-20” and set the price at $299.95. Tomczyk was given the additional title of “VIC Czar” (at a time when Washington had an “Energy Czar”).

Tomczyk recruited a product management team called the “VIC Commandos” and implemented a variety of innovations including a unique user manual, programming reference guide (which he co-authored), software on tape and cartridge, as well as a distinctive array of packaging, print ads and marketing materials. The new computer was introduced at Seibu Department Store as the VIC-1001 in Tokyo in September 1980, and as the VIC-20 at the Consumer Electronics Show in 1981; and subsequently in Canada, Europe and Asia.

In 1981, Tomczyk established the Commodore Information Network, an early implementation of an Internet-style user community. To enable adoption of telecomputing, he contracted the design of the VICModem, which became the first modem priced under $100, and the first to sell one million units, and negotiated free telecomputing services from CompuServe, The Source (online service) and Dow Jones. In 1982, the Commodore network was the largest traffic “site” on CompuServe.

The VIC-20 was followed by the more powerful Commodore 64. These computers introduced millions of people worldwide to home computing and telecomputing, and laid the foundation for ubiquitous worldwide computing. Tomczyk's experiences are described in his 1984 book, "The Home Computer Wars."*

Tomczyk left Commodore in 1984, six months after Jack Tramiel left the company. He subsequently served as a consultant to technology startups and international trade projects. He was a contributing editor of Export Today Magazine for nearly 10 years, and has written more than 150 articles including computer magazine columns (Compute! and Compute!'s Gazette, 1980–85), a business newspaper column, and numerous magazine articles.