Expansion

  • :: 1960 ::
    • The PDP-1 is introduced, the precursor to the minicomputer. It included a cathode ray tube display, and had the first computerized video game, Space War.
    • COBOL- Common Business Oriented Language is introduced.
    • ALGOL is released. It heavily influenced many programming languages.
    • The first Honeywell 800 is installed.
  • :: 1961 ::
    • MIT unveils the Compatible Time-Sharing System (CTSS), one of the first time sharing OSes.
    • IBM introduces the IBM 1401. Demand for the mainframe soared.
    • Unimate is brought online. It is the first industrial robot.
    • Fairchild Semiconductor begins selling the first commercial integrated circuits.
    • The Minivac 601, one of the earliest digital computer kits, goes on sale.
    • IBM announces the 1301 disk storage system.
  • :: 1962 ::
    • The AUTODIN System is online.
    • Virtual memory arrives.
    • LINC [ Laboratory Instrumentation Computer] offers the first real time lab data processing.
    • Paul Baran publishes paper outlining packet switching, On Distributed Communication Networks.
    • The Atlas Computer is completed. It is one of the world’s first supercomputers.
    • The BRLESC computer is brought online.
    • The compact audio cassette tape is invented.
    • The Telestar, the first communications satellite, is launched into orbit.
    • The IBM 7950 Harvest is delivered to the NSA.
  • :: 1963 ::
    • ASCII [ American Standard Code for Information Interchange] is developed, allowing computers of different manufacturers to share data.
    • The Rancho arm is developed. The first artificial robotic arm controlled by a computer, it’s six joints gave it the flexibility of a human arm and was designed as a tool for the handicapped.
    • J.C.R Licklider pens visionary memo to ARPA staff, “To Members and Affiliates of the Intergalactic Computer Network”.
    • The first computer mouse is invented.
    • Development of the oNLine System begins.
    • Tandy buys Radio Shack.
    • The legendary SketchPad is written. It is the first program with a full graphical interface, and also introduced concepts that would become foundations of object-oriented programming.
  • :: 1964 ::
    • This was a big year for computing history, first with the debut of BASIC. An easy to learn language, it was developed at Dartmouth College.
    • IBM’s SABRE reservation system debuts at American Airlines. It used telephone lines to link 2,000 terminals in 65 cities with two 7090 computers and delivered flight information in 3 seconds.
    • The CDC 6600 is introduced. Performing a whopping 3 million calculations, it quickly became the fastest computer in the world at the time. It was 3xs faster than the IBM Stretch, and used smaller computers to funnel data to a larger processor.
    • The original GPS system becomes operational on U.S. military submarines.
  • :: 1965 ::
    • Object oriented languages get a boost with the development of Simula. It was the first of it’s kind to group data and instructions into blocks called objects.
    • The acoustically coupled modem gets an upgrade courtesy of Jon Van Geen of Stanford Research Institute. His device reliably received bits of data despite line noise heard on long distance lines.
    • Hewlett Packard enters the computing game with the 2115, which supported a number of programming languages and packed the same power as much larger systems of the time.
    • Larry Roberts connects computers via dedicated phone line.
    • Moore’s Law is first published in Electronics Magazine.
    • The Programma 101 debuts at the New York World’s Fair.
  • :: 1967 ::
    • The first internal pacemaker is produced with integrated circuits.
    • Development begins on Shakey the Robot. It is one of the first mobile robots able to learn about it’s surroundings.
    • LOGO is invented by Seymour Papert. A drawing program intended for kids, it uses an electronic turtle.
  • :: 1968 ::
  • :: 1969 ::
    • The Stanford Arm becomes the first successful electrically powered, computer controlled robotic arm. 5 years later, it could assemble a Ford Model T water pump. This arm led directly to commercial production, and its designer later created the legendary PUMA systems.
    • Bell Labs employees create the legendary UNIX operating system.
    • The almighty ARPANet is born, grandaddy of the internet as we know it.
    • The first Interface Message Processor is installed at UCLA.
    • The legendary semiconductor manufacturer MOS Technology is founded.
    • The Honeywell 316 “Kitchen Computer” is the first computer offered as a consumer product after appearing in a Neiman Marcus catalog.
    • Intel unveils the first 1 kilobit RAM chip.
    • Fiber optic cameras are used for the moon landing TVs.


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