The journey started before Windows 1, before the Apple Mac, before cell phones, and before the Internet, but Steven K. Roberts managed to work ‘on the road’ for 17 months.
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works .
(Image credit: Nomadic Research Labs, Steven K. Roberts) In 1983, writer and computer whizz Steven K. Roberts began his multi-year Computing Across America quest, which would eventually be the basis of a book of the same name . Armed with his recumbent Winnebiko pedal-powered vehicle, solar panels, and the best early 80s portable tech he could lay his hands on, Roberts' journey lasted about 17 months. On the way, he traversed 17,000 miles of the U.S. while staying productive and keeping in touch with clients and publishers.
In many ways, Roberts was the pioneer of digital nomadism, a lifestyle that only gained real traction in the COVID era. However, this travelling trailblazer began his odyssey before Windows 1 , before the Apple Macintosh, before cell phones, and even before the Internet . Roberts used to keep in touch with clients via CompuServe and other early online services.
The Winnebiko was fabricated by Roberts over a six-month period ahead of the Computing Across America trip. The original digital nomad refers to this recumbent cycle as “the elemental form of my technomadic adventure substrate.”
How often should you expect to replace your headset, keyboard, or mouse — buying tips for picking longer-lasting gear
The best cheap tech you can grab this Amazon Prime Day — 13 bargains under $13 to improve your tech life
Best Portable Monitors 2025: Gaming and Laptop Productivity
Key considerations
- Investor positioning can change fast
- Volatility remains possible near catalysts
- Macro rates and liquidity can dominate flows
Reference reading
- https://www.tomshardware.com/laptops/SPONSORED_LINK_URL
- https://www.tomshardware.com/laptops/the-winnebiko-travelled-17-000-miles-to-complete-the-computing-across-america-expedition-40-years-ago-solar-and-1980s-portable-gadgets-powered-digital-nomadism-in-its-earliest-and-purest-form#main
- https://www.tomshardware.com
- Best Black Friday Gaming Chair Deals 2025 — deals for Secretlab, Steelcase, Herman Miller, and more
- Major insurers move to avoid liability for AI lawsuits as multi-billion dollar risks emerge — Recent public incidents have lead to costly repercussions
- TSMC says advanced‑node capacity falls ‘about three times short’ of AI demand — company's wafer capacity is 'still not enough' as demand continues to rise
- An entire PS5 now costs less than 64GB of DDR5 memory, even after a discount — simple memory kit jumps to $600 due to DRAM shortage, and it's expected to get wo
- How to Unlock Accelerated AI Storage Performance With RDMA for S3-Compatible Storage
Informational only. No financial advice. Do your own research.