Computer HistoryYear/EnterComputer
HistoryInventors/InventionsComputer HistoryDescription of Event
1936Konrad Zuse -Z1 ComputerFirst freely programmable
computer.
1942John Atanasoff & Clifford BerryABC ComputerWho was first
in the computing biz is not always as easy as ABC.
1944Howard Aiken & Grace HopperHarvard Mark I ComputerThe
Harvard Mark 1 computer.
1946John Presper Eckert & John W. MauchlyENIAC 1
Computer20,000 vacuum tubes later...
1948Frederic Williams & Tom KilburnManchester Baby Computer
& The Williams TubeBaby and the Williams Tube turn on the
memories.
1947/48John Bardeen, Walter Brattain & Wiliam ShockleyThe
TransistorNo, a transistor is not a computer, but this invention
greatly affected the history of computers.
1951John Presper Eckert & John W. MauchlyUNIVAC
ComputerFirst commercial computer & able to pick presidential
winners.
1953International Business MachinesIBM 701 EDPM ComputerIBM
enters into'The History of Computers'.
1954John Backus & IBMFORTRAN Computer Programming
LanguageThe first successful high level programming language.
1955(In Use 1959)Stanford Research Institute, Bank of America,
and General ElectricERMA and MICRThe first bank industry computer -
also MICR (magnetic ink character recognition) for reading
checks.
1958Jack Kilby & Robert NoyceThe Integrated CircuitOtherwise
known as 'The Chip'
1962Steve Russell & MITSpacewar Computer GameThe first
computer game invented.
1964Douglas EngelbartComputer Mouse & WindowsNicknamed the
mouse because the tail came out the end.
1969ARPAnetThe original Internet.
1970Intel 1103 Computer MemoryThe world's first available
dynamic RAM chip.
1971Faggin, Hoff & MazorIntel 4004 Computer
MicroprocessorThe first microprocessor.
1971Alan Shugart &IBMThe "Floppy" DiskNicknamed the "Floppy"
for its flexibility.
1973Robert Metcalfe & XeroxThe Ethernet Computer
NetworkingNetworking.
1974/75Scelbi & Mark-8 Altair & IBM 5100 ComputersThe
first consumer computers.
1976/77Apple I, II & TRS-80 & Commodore Pet
ComputersMore first consumer computers.
1978Dan Bricklin & Bob FrankstonVisiCalc Spreadsheet
SoftwareAny product that pays for itself in two weeks is a surefire
winner.
1979Seymour Rubenstein & Rob BarnabyWordStar SoftwareWord
Processors.
1981IBMThe IBM PC - Home ComputerFrom an "Acorn" grows a
personal computer revolution
1981MicrosoftMS-DOS Computer Operating SystemFrom "Quick And
Dirty" comes the operating system of the century.
1983Apple Lisa ComputerThe first home computer with a GUI,
graphical user interface.
1984Apple Macintosh ComputerThe more affordable home computer
with a GUI.
1985Microsoft WindowsMicrosoft begins the friendly war with
Apple.
