History of Computers
Timeline
Presented by: Amanda and Andy
Earliest forms
• 300 B.C.: The abacus is believed to have been the earliest known
calculating device.
• AD 1625: The Slide rule was able to perform mathematical calculations.
• AD 1642: The Pascaline was used by; rotating the gears, the user could
perform basic mathematical operations.
The 1800’s
• 1801: Joseph-Marie Jacquard invents an automatic weaving loom that
reads instructions from punched cards.
• 1830: The Analytical Engine, is considered to be a computer in the modern
sense of the word. (created by; Charles Babbage)
• 1833: Augusta Ada Lovelace is generally recognized as the world’s first
computer programmer.
• 1890: The Tabulating machine which could automatically read census
information punched onto cards.
The 1900’s
• 1941: The Z3, was the world’s first fully functional, programmedcontrolled computer.
• 1942: Atanasoff-Berry Computer was not designed for general- purpose
processing.
• 1943: The Colossus , a computer used by the British to crack German
codes during World War II.
• 1944: The Mark I, which data was stored electronically inside the device
with the use of electromagnetic rays.
• 1945: Dr. John von Neumann describes the stored program concepts.
(written)
Continued..
• 1946: The Electronic Numerical Integrator and Calculator (ENIAC), which
was used by the U.S government for a variety of computing tasks.
• 1947: The Transistor would lead to the development of smaller and faster
computers.
• 1951: The Universal Automatic Computer is the first commercial computer
produced in the United States.
• 1953: IBM introduced its new model 650 computer.
Continued….
• 1956: IBM’s 305 RAMAC, was the first computer to use magnetic disk
storage
• 1957: John Backus at IBM introduces an efficient and easy-to-use
programming language, called FORTRAN (Formula Translation)
• 1957: The Soviet Union launches Sputnik I, the first orbiting satellite.
• 1958: Jack Kilby invents the integrated circuit. (later would be used for
larger storage capacity)
The 1960’s
• 1960: Grace Hopper, helped develop Common Business-Oriented
Language.
• 1965: John Kemeny helped develop the basic programming language.
• 1969: The United States Defense Advanced Research Agency (ARPA)
establishes ARPLANET, wide area linking colleges.
• 1970: The powerful UNLX operating system is developed at Bell
Laboratories.
• 1970: A new generation of computers emerged.
1970’s part 1
• 1971: Ted Hoff develops the Intel 4004 microprocessor.
• 1971: A team of IBM engineers introduced the first 8-inch memory disk.
• 1971: Cray research finder, introduces the Cray-1, worlds first super
computer. (can process complex applications)
1970’s part 2
• 1972: Hewlett-Packard introduces a series of scientific pocket calculators.
• 1972: The C programming language is developed at Bell Laboratories.
• 1973: Xerox’s Palo Alto research center develops the Alto computer.
Continued…
• 1975: Dr. Robert Metcalf develops Ethernet. (The first local network)
• 1976-1977: (1976) Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak, built the first apple
computer., the following year Apple introduced the Apple II personal
computer, capable of displaying texts and graphics.
• 1978: VisiCalc, for the Apple II computer, Daniel Bricklin and Bob
Frankston Developed this.
1980’s part 1
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1980: MSDOS was developed, bill gates accepted the offer IBM made.
1980: Sony Electronics introduces the 3.5-inch floppy disk and disk drive.
1981: IBM introduces the IBM PC
1981: The first computer virus, called ELK Cloner, this affected the Apple II
spreadsheet.
1980’s part 2
• 1982: 80286 microprocessor was introduced by Intel Corporation.
• 1982: Time magazine names the computer “man of the year”
• 1982: Compaq Computer Corporation is founded.
Continued….
• 1983: Lotus Development Corporation is founded by partners Mitch Kapor,
and Jonathon Sachs.
• 1983: Microsoft announces Microsoft windows.
• 1984: first Macintosh computer is introduced by Apple.
• 1985: 386 microprocessor was introduced by Intel Corporation.
• 1985: The first CD-ROM players became available.
Continued..
• 1986: Microsoft Corporation has its initial public offering (IPO) of its stock.
• 1988: Internet Relay Chat (IRC) is developed.
• 1989: The World, (first internet service provider) appears and begins
offering dial up service.
• 1989: 486 microprocessor is introduced by Intel Corporation.
1990’s
• 1990: Tim Berners-Lee invents the World Wide Web (WWW), he also
invents and introduces the first browser.
• 1993: Mosaic, the first web browser, is released.
• 1993: Apple Computer, is one of the first companies to offer Personal
Digital Assistants, (PDA) introduces Newton Message pad.
Continued…
• 1994: Netscape Communications Corporation is founded by Jim Clark and
Marc Andreesen.
• 1994: Linux kernel is created by Linus Torvalds.
• 1995: Microsoft releases Internet Explorer browser.
• 1995: James Gosling introduces JAVA.
• 1995: Microsoft introduces Windows ‘95.
1996
• 1996: Internet2 is launched, an advanced network that enables
instructions.
• 1996: one/ third of the U.S. homes now have a personal computer, two/
thirds of the U.S employees have access to a computer.
• 1996: Microsoft releases windows upgrade, Windows NT 4.0
• 1996: WebTV is introduced
1997
• 1997: Manufactures begin selling DVD players.
• 1997: More than 50 million people use the internet and web.
• 1997: Pentium II microprocessor containing 7.5 million transistors are
introduced by Intel Corporation.
1998
• 1998: Microsoft begins shipping windows ‘98.
• 1998: The IMAC is introduced by Apple and is now being sold.
1999
• 1999: PALM releases its first handheld PC, PALM VII.
• 1999: The Blackberry, was introduced
• 1999: people are concerned about the new millennium coming and the
old computers not being able to use.
• 1999: Microsoft begins shipping WINDOWS 2000.
Continued…
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2002: A variety of technologies are now able to be used on Windows XP
2003: Microsoft launches office 2003.
2003: Apple introduces the IPOD, online music business.
2003: The Recording Industry association of America (RIAA) seeking to
protect its music-producing members.
New Millennium
• 2000: Intel introduces Pentium 4
• 2000: USB ports, are introduced.
• 2001: Intel Corporations and Hewlett-Packed jointly produce a 64-bit
microprocessor, called Itanium.
• 2001: Microsoft introduces Microsoft XP
2004-2005
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2004: IBM launches the worlds fastest supercomputer, called Blue Gene/L.
2004: More than 69 million U.S now use broadband connections.
2005: Smartphone's have become the most widely used device.
2005: Mozilla creates the Firefox browser and claims 10% of the market.
Now…
• 2006: For the first six months of 2006 the retail sales have exceeded 51
billion dollars.
• 2006: Many cities and businesses begin offering citizens and customers
economical broadband connectivity to the internet.
• 2007: Microsoft introduces Windows vista.
• 2007: now online users spend about 14 hours a week on the internet.