Triumph of the Nerds is a three part documentary series charting the rise of the personal computer industry. It brings together interviews with key figures associated with Apple, Microsoft, IBM and other early technology firms to explain how technical ideas became commercial products and how software came to dominate the sector.
Use in class
The series is valuable for information systems, innovation and strategy teaching. It gives students historical context for platform competition, intellectual property, technology standards and network effects. It also supports discussion of first mover advantage, entrepreneurial ecosystems and the strategic importance of software business models.
