History is fascinating. The byplay of people and things forms an interesting pattern which we can only briefly look at here. If the subject interests you, here are two easy-reading references [Note: These are likely out-of-print by now; but check anyhow, they are worth trying to find]:

• For microcomputer history

Fire in the Valley  
by Paul Freiberger & Michael Swaine
(Osborne/McGraw-Hill: Berkeley, 1999)
ISBN 0071358951

• For general computer history

Bit by Bit  
by Stan Augarten
(Ticknor & Fields: New York, 1984)
ISBN: 0899193021

  The Beginning