Raspberry Pi: Difference between revisions

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'''Raspberry Pi''' ({{IPAc-en|p|aɪ}} {{respell|PY}}) is a series of small [[single-board computer]]s (SBCs) originally developed in the [[United Kingdom]] by the [[Raspberry Pi Foundation]] in collaboration with [[Broadcom Inc.|Broadcom]]. To commercialize the product and support its growing demand, the Foundation established a commercial entity, Raspberrynow Pi (Trading) Ltd in 2012, which was floated in 2024known as [[Raspberry Pi Holdings]], a [[public company]] that trades on the [[London Stock Exchange]]. Whilst Raspberry Pi PLC is now an independent company, the Raspberry Pi Foundation are a major shareholder.

The Raspberry Pi was originally created to help teach [[computer science]] in schools, but gained popularity for many other uses due to its low cost, compact size, and flexibility. It is now used in areas such as [[Industrial Automation and Control Systems|industrial automation]], [[robotics]], [[home automation]], [[IoT]] devices, and [[hobbyist]] projects.

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The [[Raspberry Pi Foundation]] was established in 2008 by a group including [[Eben Upton]],<ref name="Cooban 2024" /> in response to a noticeable decline in both the number and skill level of students applying to study computer science [[University of Cambridge Computer Laboratory]]. The foundation's goal was to create a low-cost computer to help rekindle interest in [[computer programming|programming]] among schoolchildren.<ref>{{cite web |last=Cellan-Jones |first=Rory |date=5 May 2011 |title=A£15 computer to inspire young programmers |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thereporters/rorycellanjones/2011/05/a_15_computer_to_inspire_young.html |work=BBC News}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Price |first=Peter |date=3 June 2011 |title=Can a £15 computer solve the programming gap? |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/click_online/9504208.stm |access-date=2 July 2011 |work=[[Click (TV programme)|BBC Click]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Bush |first=Steve |date=25 May 2011 |title=Dongle computer lets kids discover programming on a TV |url=https://www.electronicsweekly.com/Articles/2011/05/25/51129/Dongle-computer-lets-kids-discover-programming-on-a.htm |access-date=11 July 2011 |work=[[Electronics Weekly]]}}</ref>

This mission was inspired by the aims of the [[BBC Micro]] computer of the early 1980s, which was developed by [[Acorn Computers]] as part of a BBC initiative to promote [[computer literacy]] in UK schools.<ref>{{Cite web |date=22 April 2012 |title=Raspberry Pi • View topic – Raspberry Pi as the successor of BBC Micro |url=https://www.raspberrypi.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=5118 |access-date=12 June 2013 |publisher=raspberrypi.org |quote=The Foundation trustees tried very hard to get an agreement to use the BBC Micro name, right up to May 2011. /../ Eben touched on the subject a bit during his speech at the Beeb@30 celebration at the beginning of the month}}</ref> The names "Model A" and "Model B" were chosen as a deliberate homage to the BBC Micro.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Williams, Chris |date=28 November 2011 |title=Psst, kid... Wanna learn how to hack? |url=https://www.theregister.co.uk/2011/11/28/raspberry_pi/page3.html |access-date=24 December 2011 |website=The Register}}</ref> The name "Raspberry Pi" combines the fruit-themed naming convention used by early computer companies with a nod to the [[Python (programming language)|Python programming language]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=22 May 2012 |title=Interview with Raspberry's Founder Eben Upton |url=https://www.techspot.com/article/531-eben-upton-interview/ |access-date=28 February 2020 |website=TechSpot}}</ref>

[[File:Raspberry Pi board at TransferSummit 2011 cropped.jpg|thumb|An early alpha-test board in operation using different layout from later beta and production boards]]

The first prototypes resembled small USB sticks.<ref>{{Cite web |date=6 May 2011 |title=Tiny USB-Sized PC Offers 1080p HDMI Output |url=https://www.tomshardware.com/news/Raspberry-Pi-David-Braben-Ubuntu-9-OLPC-Railroad-Tycoon,12709.html |access-date=1 February 2012}}</ref> By August 2011, fifty functionally complete "alpha" boards were produced for testing,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Humphries |first=Matthew |date=28 July 2011 |title=Raspberry Pi $25 PC goes into alpha production |url=https://www.geek.com/articles/chips/raspberry-pi-25-pc-goes-into-alpha-production-20110728 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121102112319/https://www.geek.com/articles/chips/raspberry-pi-25-pc-goes-into-alpha-production-20110728/ |archive-date=2 November 2012 |access-date=1 August 2011 |publisher=Geek.com}}</ref> with demonstrations showing them running a Debian-based desktop and handling 1080p video playback.<ref>{{Cite web |date=27 August 2011 |title=Raspberry Pi YouTube Channel |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_mDuJuvZjI&list=UUhmozgJ0cqX8Gx7676ZQ4ig&feature=plcp |access-date=28 August 2011 |website=[[YouTube]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=7 September 2011 |title=Full HD video demo at TransferSummit Oxford |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TgR74Kp6Ws4 |access-date=12 September 2011 |website=[[YouTube]]}}</ref> In late 2011, twenty-five "beta" boards were finalized,<ref>{{Cite web |title=What happened to the beta boards? |url=https://www.raspberrypi.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=63&t=2868 |access-date=16 September 2014}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=December 2011 |title=We have PCBs! |url=https://www.raspberrypi.org/archives/389 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140219025045/http://www.raspberrypi.org/archives/389 |archive-date=19 February 2014 |access-date=16 September 2014}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Bringing up a beta board |url=https://www.raspberrypi.org/archives/431 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140122091052/http://www.raspberrypi.org/archives/431 |archive-date=22 January 2014 |access-date=16 September 2014}}</ref> and to generate publicity before the official launch, ten of these were auctioned on eBay in early 2012.<ref>{{Cite web |date=31 December 2011 |title=We're auctioning ten beta Raspberry Pi's; |url=https://www.raspberrypi.org/archives/482 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120511011000/http://www.raspberrypi.org/archives/482 |archive-date=11 May 2012 |access-date=6 May 2012 |publisher=Raspberrypi.org}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Williams, Chris |date=3 January 2012 |title=That Brit-built £22 computer: Yours for just £1,900 or more |url=https://www.theregister.co.uk/2012/01/03/raspberry_pi_auction/ |access-date=10 January 2012 |work=[[The Register]]}}</ref>

The first commercial Raspberry Pi, the Model B, was launched on 29 February 2012, with an initial price of $35.<ref name="Lawler 2012" /> Demand far exceeded expectations, causing the websites of the two initial licensed distributors, [[Premier Farnell]] and [[RS Group plc|RS Components]], to crash from high traffic.<ref>{{Cite news |date=28 February 2012 |title="Set your alarms!" – Raspberry Pi looks ready for early Wednesday launch |url=https://www.cabume.co.uk/the-cluster/qset-your-alarmsq-raspberry-pi-looks-ready-for-early-wednesday-launch.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120301154403/http://www.cabume.co.uk/the-cluster/qset-your-alarmsq-raspberry-pi-looks-ready-for-early-wednesday-launch.html |archive-date=1 March 2012 |access-date=28 February 2012 |work=Cabume}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Paul, Ryan |date=29 February 2012 |title=Raspberry Pi retailers toppled by demand as $35 Linux computer launches |url=https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/news/2012/02/raspberry-pi-retailers-toppled-by-demand-as-35-linux-computer-launches.ars |access-date=29 February 2012 |work=[[Ars Technica]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Naughton, John |date=4 March 2012 |title=The Raspberry Pi can help schools get with the programme |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2012/mar/04/raspberry-pi-schools-computer-science |access-date=12 March 2012 |work=The Observer |___location=London}}</ref> Initial batches sold out almost immediately, with one distributor reporting over 100,000 pre-orders on the first day.<ref name="Lawler 2012" /> The lower-cost $25 Model A followed on 4 February 2013.<ref>{{Cite web |date=4 February 2013 |title=Launch of the Model A announced |url=https://www.raspberrypi.org/archives/3215 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140209164607/http://www.raspberrypi.org/archives/3215 |archive-date=9 February 2014 |access-date=16 September 2014}}</ref>