Technology Timeline
Year
3000 B.C.
1617
1642
1674
1854
1804
1835
Type of Technology
Description
Abacas Machine
Book keeping
machine that
allowed user to
manipulate data. It
tracks numbers and
place values using
wooded beads.
John Napier –
Machine used for
Napier’s Rod’s and multiplying.
Bones
Blaise Pascal –
Machine allowed
Pascaline
user to add and
subtract.
Gottfried Leibniz –
Performed adding,
Stepped Reckoner
subtracting,
multiplication, and
division.
Marked the
beginning of Binary
Numbers (0,1)
George Boole –
Algebra system of
Boolean Algebra
logic based on the
binary system.
Joseph Jacquard –
Patterns on fabric
Punched Card Loom woven into a loom.
(keypunch machine)
Charles Babbage –
Solved differential
Analytical Engine
equations.
Performed error
proof calculations.
1887
1937
Herman Hollerith Tabulating Machine
Atanasoff and Berry
Ada – first program
Punch card machine
based off of the
analytical engine.
Founder of IBM.
First Electronic
Digital Computer
(ABC)
1937
Aiken
Automated
Calculating
Machine – Mark I
More modern
version of the
analytical engine.
1943
1951
Alan Turleg
1952
Grace Hopper
1953
IBM
1957
John Badcus
1958
Second Generation
1959
IBM
1960
Grace Hopper
1964
Third Generation
UNIVAC first
commercial
computer created
Wrote a paper on
how to program a
computer with
symbolic notations reusable software.
IBM Series 700
model put them on
the market. Core
memory evolved.
Magnetic disk for
external storage.
Fortran program
language.
Second Generation
– Transistor s took
over.
Introduces two
smaller desk size
computers – IBM
1401 and IBM 1520
for business and
science. IBM 1520
aka CADET (can’t
add doesn’t even
try).
COBOL, a high
level business
application
language.
Controlling circuitry
stored on silicon
chips. 18,000
computers were out
for private industry.
IBM combined their
1965
John Kemeny
1968
Alan Shugart
1969
IBM
1970
Forth Generation
1971
Ted Hoff
1975
MITS, Inc
1976
Steve Jobs and
Steve Wozniak
1979
Bob Fankston
1980
Alan Shugart
Bill Gates
1981
IBM
business and science
computers into one.
BASIC
programming
evolved -- created
for personal
computers.
Digital Equipment
Corp introduces
mini computer.
8-inch Floppy disk
was created
(magnetic storage
media). Computer
Science Corp
becomes the first
software company
listed on the NY
Stock Exchange.
IBM unbundled its
software separate
from its hardware.
Arpanet is
established (basic
internet).
LSI chips arrive
(Large-scale
integration).
Develops a
microprocessor –
Intel 4004.
Advertise first
microcomputer, the
Altair.
The first Apple
computer, Apple II.
Adopted for the
general public to
use.
VistiCalc,
spreadsheet program
Winchester hard
drive created. MSDOS operating
system introduced.
IBM PC (personal
1982
Hayes
1983
Lotus Development
Corp
1983
TIME magazine
1984
IBM
1984
Apple
1987
1988
Microsoft
1989
Time Bemers-Lee
1989
International
computer) is
introduced
Introduced the 300
bps smart modem.
IBM controlling the
computer market.
Compaq, Inc
founded and market
IBM compatible PC.
Lotus 1-2-3
spreadsheet program
combined
spreadsheets,
graphics, and
database programs
into one package.
Recognizes the
computer of the year
recognize its impact
on society.
Introduces a
personal computer
PC AT that used the
Intel 80286
microprocessor.
HP introduces the
LaserJet printer.
Introduces the Mac
which had a
graphical interface.
More computers
using Intel 80286
processor
Surpasses Lotus
Development Corp
to become the
world’s top software
vendor.
Invents an internetbased hypermedia
for information
sharing (World
Wide Web)
Mission
1991
Society of
Technolgoy and
education ISTE
AskEric
1992
Microsoft
1993
Intel
1993
ISTE
1993
Marc Anderson
1994
Marc Anderson
1995
Microsoft
1995
Sun Microsystems
1996
Searchable database
for documents
Releases Windows
3.1.
Pentium processor
replaces 480
processor.
Introduces
technology
standards for
teachers, containing
13 indictors.
Created Mosaic first
graphical browser
Launch Netscape
navigator 1.0.
Clinton
Administration
signs TIIAP grant
which supplies
grants to public
institutions to fund
the installation of
advance
communications.
Introduces Windows
95
Launches Java an
object orientated
programming
language that allows
users to write one
application for a
variety of computer
platforms.
Clinton launches a
Technology
Literacy Challenge
– program designed
to use technology to
educate children to
succeed in the next
century.
1996
1997
Intel
1997
FCC
1998
Microsoft
Apple
1999
Intel
Microsoft
1999
2000
Shawn Fanning
2000
ISTE
2000
Intel
2001
Microsoft
Apple
Summer Olympics
makes extensive use
of computer
technology.
Introduced Pentium
II processor which
introduced MMX
technology.
Approves the ERate program which
provides discounted
telecommunications
services to K-12
schools.
Introduces Windows
98.
Apple Introduces
the iMac, which
abandoned the
floppy disk drive.
Released Pentium
III processor.
Microsoft released
MS Office 2000,
offering new tools
to create content and
save it directly to a
Web Site.
Y2K bug scare.
Develop software
that allows
computer users to
swap music files –
Napster.
Releases NETS for
students.
Pentium IV chip
released.
E-commerce
achieve mainstream
acceptance.
Dot.com companies
go out of business.
Released MS Office
2001 for the Mac.
Apple releases Mac
2001
AOL
Microsoft
2001
Microsoft
2001
2002
2002
2002
2003
Intel
2003
Microsoft
OS X.
Telemedicine uses
satellite technology
and
videoconferencing
to broadcast
consultations and to
perform distant
surgeries.
More than 25
million computer
users subscribe to
AOL.
Microsoft releases
Windows XP.
Release XP
Professional which
introduced voice
recognition.
Wireless technology
gains interest.
E-books are
introduced. Digital
text read on
compact computer
screens.
No Child Left
Behind Act.
DVD RW replaces
CD RW.
Digital Video
cameras, DVD
writers, editing
software allow
people to create
Hollywood like
movies
Handheld cell
phones offered all in
one.
Releases Centrino
mobile technology.
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
is introduced.
Releases the class
server Learning
2003
ISTE
2003
Microsoft
Apple
2004
2004
2004
2005
Microsoft
2005
2005
Mozilla
Management
Platform.
Introduces OneNote
2003.
Announce that 48
states will adopt,
adapt, and align
with their standards.
Tablet PC is
introduced as the
next generation
mobile PC.
Release MS Office
Student and Teacher
software.
Apple introduces
the Power Mac G5
processor – the first
64 bit processor
Other companies try
to get into online
music business.
Flat Panels
introduced.
USB Flash Drives.
Apple introduces
iMacG5.
Boardband internet
access.
RFID bar codes
Unveils XP Media
Center Ed 2005.
Offers Service Pack
2.
Spam, spyware,
phishing, splam, and
spit take center
stage along with
virus.
Predicts that it’s
FireFox browser
will have 10 percent
of the browser
market due to IE
problems.
Smart phone is
2005
Apple
IBM
2006
E-Rate
introduced.
Introduces the Mac
mini.
IBM introduces the
cell chip.
All U.S. students
will have internet
access in schools