The Story of the Galaksija: Yugoslavia’s Humble Home Computer Revolution

In the early 1980s, access to computers in Yugoslavia was incredibly limited. These technological marvels were mostly confined to large institutions and companies, while ordinary citizens were legally prohibited from importing their own home computers due to restrictive import laws. Wanting to break this barrier, engineer Vojislav “Voja” Antonić embarked on a journey that would change the tech landscape of Yugoslavia forever.

A DIY Solution

While enjoying a holiday with his wife in 1983, Antonić pondered a simple solution: create a computer without a dedicated graphics chip. This unconventional approach would have been less powerful, but it would drastically reduce costs, making personal computing a reality for many Yugoslavians.

Antonić returned from his holiday filled with enthusiasm and quickly built a prototype. He was astonished to find it worked! This unconventional homegrown computer, lacking a dedicated graphics chip, was soon named the Galaksija – after the name of the magazine that would become its unlikely launchpad.

Unexpected Success

The magazine, “Racunari u vasoj kuci” (Computers in Your Home), planned to publish detailed instructions for building the Galaksija. The creators anticipated a few hundred enthusiasts wanting to build their own system but quickly realized they had underestimated the public’s desire for home computers.

Initial print runs of 30,000 copies sold out, quickly followed by impressive reprints. In total, around 100,000 copies were distributed, with thousands of heartwarming letters pouring in from proud Galaksija owners.