The original Raspberry Pi launched on February 29, 2012, revolutionizing affordable computing and sparking a global maker movement. Developed by the Raspberry Pi Foundation in the United Kingdom, this credit card-sized computer initially sold for just $35, making powerful computing accessible to students, hobbyists, and educators worldwide. The Model B’s initial production run of 10,000 units sold out within hours of release, crashing several retailers’ websites due to unprecedented demand. This groundbreaking device featured a 700MHz ARM processor, 256MB RAM, and could run various Linux distributions, establishing itself as a versatile platform for learning programming, building DIY projects, and exploring computer science fundamentals. The Pi’s launch marked a pivotal moment in educational computing, democratizing access to hardware development and inspiring countless innovations in maker spaces and classrooms globally.
The Journey to Launch Day
Early Development Phase
The Raspberry Pi’s journey began in 2006 when Eben Upton and his colleagues at the University of Cambridge’s Computer Laboratory became concerned about declining programming skills among computer science applicants. Their initial concept was to create an affordable, accessible computer that would encourage young people to learn programming and understand computing fundamentals.
The development team spent several years refining their design, focusing on creating a balance between cost, functionality, and size. They established the Raspberry Pi Foundation in 2008 to oversee the project’s development and future distribution. Early prototypes were built on Atmel ATmega644 microcontrollers, but the team later switched to Broadcom BCM2835 SoC to deliver better performance while maintaining low costs.
By 2011, the Alpha and Beta versions were being tested by enthusiasts and educators, generating significant excitement in the tech community. These early models helped identify necessary improvements before the final release.
Pre-Release Anticipation
The announcement of the Raspberry Pi in May 2011 sparked unprecedented excitement within the tech community. Forums and social media channels buzzed with discussions about this revolutionary $35 computer, with many educators and hobbyists eagerly awaiting its arrival. The initial production run was planned for just 10,000 units, but pre-launch interest far exceeded expectations.
Leading up to the release, the Raspberry Pi Foundation organized several preview events at universities and tech conferences across the UK. These demonstrations showcased the board’s capabilities, from basic programming exercises to multimedia applications. The foundation also engaged with the maker community through beta testing programs, allowing select developers to experiment with prototype units.
The pre-release period saw the formation of numerous online communities and user groups, all preparing projects and educational materials for the upcoming launch. This groundswell of support helped establish the robust ecosystem that would later become crucial to the platform’s success.
Official Release: February 29, 2012
Launch Day Events
The Raspberry Pi 1 Model B launched on February 29, 2012, with an event that captured the imagination of tech enthusiasts worldwide. The initial batch of 10,000 units went on sale at exactly 6:00 AM GMT through two major retailers: RS Components and Premier Farnell/Element 14. The demand was so overwhelming that both retailers’ websites crashed within minutes of the launch.
At the University of Cambridge Computer Laboratory, the Raspberry Pi Foundation hosted a special launch event where Eben Upton, along with other team members, demonstrated the capabilities of their $35 computer. They showcased basic programming exercises, played HD video, and ran simple games to highlight the board’s versatility.
The launch day was particularly memorable as it coincided with a leap year, making the release date itself unique. Despite some initial shipping delays due to a manufacturing error involving incorrect networking jacks, the first batch of boards began reaching eager customers by mid-March. The Foundation also used the launch event to announce their educational initiatives and partnerships with schools, setting the stage for their mission to revolutionize computer science education.
Initial Reception
The launch of the original Raspberry Pi Model B in 2012 exceeded all expectations, with demand far outstripping initial supply. Within hours of release, both primary distributors, Premier Farnell and RS Components, experienced website crashes due to overwhelming traffic from eager buyers. The initial batch of 10,000 units sold out within minutes, creating waiting lists that stretched for weeks.
Tech enthusiasts, educators, and hobbyists praised the board’s versatility and affordability, recognizing its potential to revolutionize computer education and DIY electronics. Major tech publications celebrated its arrival, with Eben Upton and the Raspberry Pi Foundation receiving widespread acclaim for creating an accessible computing platform that could help address the declining numbers of computer science students.
The educational community particularly welcomed the device, with schools and coding clubs immediately beginning to incorporate it into their curricula. Despite some initial criticism about the setup complexity for complete beginners, the strong community support and extensive documentation helped new users overcome these challenges. The unprecedented reception laid the foundation for what would become a transformative force in computing education and the maker movement.
Original Model B Specifications
Hardware Features
The original Raspberry Pi Model B featured a Broadcom BCM2835 system-on-chip (SoC) with a single-core ARM1176JZF-S processor running at 700MHz. This modest CPU was paired with 512MB of RAM, which was a significant upgrade from the initial 256MB in early production models. For graphics processing, it utilized a Broadcom VideoCore IV GPU capable of handling 1080p video playback.
The board included two USB 2.0 ports for connecting peripherals, a 10/100 Ethernet port for networking, and an HDMI output for display connectivity. Storage was handled via an SD card slot, as the device had no onboard storage. The Model B also featured 26 GPIO pins for hardware projects, making it ideal for electronics enthusiasts.
Power consumption was remarkably low at about 3.5 watts, drawing power through a 5V micro USB port. Despite its basic specifications, these features provided a solid foundation for learning programming and basic computing tasks.
Software Support
At launch, the Raspberry Pi 1 supported several available operating systems, with Raspbian (now known as Raspberry Pi OS) being the primary recommended distribution. This Debian-based Linux system was specifically optimized for the Pi’s ARM architecture. Users could also run other Linux distributions like Arch Linux ARM and Fedora Remix, providing flexibility for different project needs and enabling diverse applications such as running a game server on this compact device.
The device supported Python as its primary programming language, making it ideal for educational purposes. Both Python 2 and Python 3 were available, along with programming environments like Scratch for beginners. The GPIO pins could be programmed using Python libraries, enabling users to create physical computing projects right out of the box.
The initial software ecosystem, while modest compared to today’s offerings, provided a solid foundation for learning programming, basic electronics, and Linux system administration.
Legacy and Impact
The original Raspberry Pi has left an indelible impact on education and maker culture, revolutionizing how people learn about and interact with computing technology. Its affordable price point and accessible design sparked a global movement of DIY enthusiasts, students, and educators who could now experiment with programming and electronics without significant financial investment.
The device’s success led to the creation of countless educational programs, coding clubs, and maker spaces worldwide. Schools began incorporating Raspberry Pi into their curricula, teaching students practical computing skills through hands-on projects. The maker community embraced the platform, developing innovative projects ranging from home automation systems to retro gaming consoles.
This pioneering model set the foundation for future iterations and inspired other manufacturers to create similar single-board computers. The Raspberry Pi Foundation’s commitment to educational access has helped millions of people develop digital skills, fostering a new generation of tech-savvy creators and problem-solvers. Today, the original Pi’s legacy continues through its successors, maintaining its core mission of democratizing computer science education.
The February 29, 2012 release of the original Raspberry Pi marked a pivotal moment in computing history, democratizing access to affordable computing and inspiring a new generation of makers and programmers. Over a decade later, the impact of this groundbreaking $35 computer continues to resonate throughout the tech community. While newer models have since emerged with improved specifications and capabilities, the original Raspberry Pi’s legacy lives on through countless educational programs, DIY projects, and innovative solutions worldwide. Its release date represents more than just a product launch – it symbolizes the beginning of a movement that has transformed how we approach computing education and hobbyist electronics. Today, the principles that guided the original Pi’s development – affordability, accessibility, and hands-on learning – remain as relevant as ever, continuing to inspire new innovations and creative applications in the maker community.