The Altair 8800, introduced by Ed Roberts in 1974, was a groundbreaking personal computer that allowed everyday individuals to own and interact with computers, marking the beginning of the personal computer era. Bill Gates and Paul Allen recognized its potential and created a BASIC interpreter to enable users to engage with their machines. An engineer, initially interested in nuclear reactors, built his own Altair 8800 by scavenging parts and hand-soldering, highlighting the significance of programming languages like BASIC in making computing accessible. Gates and Allen's work on BASIC simplified programming and contributed to the proliferation of personal computers. Gates later advised the engineer on the importance of cash flow for startups, guiding him in his transition to software development. BASIC served as a gateway for many into computing, influencing countless careers in the tech industry.