Alan Kay
A Personal Computer for Children of All Ages
Alan Kay , Paper Author 2. 1972. (View Paper → )
The relevant parts of the abstract can be copied here in italics...
This note speculates about the emergence of personal, portable information manipulators and their effects when used by both children and adults. Although it should be read as science fiction, current trends in miniaturization and price reduction almost guarantee that many of the notions discussed will actually happen in the near future.
Kay envisioned the computer not merely as a tool but as a personal, interactive medium for learning, creativity, and expression. This idea laid the foundation for how modern devices like laptops, tablets, and smartphones are used today—not just for work but as platforms for communication, gaming, education, and artistic creation.
The Dynabook is essentially the prototype for modern portable devices like laptops, tablets, and smartphones. It was described as: Lightweight and portable, Affordable, aiming to be widely accessible and equipped with a graphical interface, dynamic media capabilities, and a keyboard or touch interface.