computer history for the decade

  • TX-0 (transistor experimental - 0)

    TX-0 (transistor experimental - 0)
    General-purpose programmable computer built with transistors. For easy replacement, designers placed each transistor circuit inside a "bottle," similar to a vacuum tube.
    Designed at the MIT Lincoln Laboratory.
  • Direct keyboard input to computers

    Direct keyboard input to computers
    MIT researchers are beginning to experiment with direct keyboard input to computers. MIT Whirlwind computer confirmed how useful and convenient a keyboard input device could be.
  • Computer music

    Computer music
    Lejaren Hiller and Leonard Isaacson complete the Illiac Suite. It was created using I computer at the University of Illinois, Urbana Champaign, the Illiac Suite is one of the earliest pieces of music composed using an electronic computer.
  • RCA, Model 501 transistorized computer

    RCA, Model 501 transistorized computer
    Built on a 'building block' which allows highly flexible for many different uses and could simultaneously control up to 63 tape drive which is useful for large databases of information. Customers included US military as well as industry.
    Manufactured by RCA
  • SAGE Operator Station

    SAGE Operator Station
    First large-scale computer communications network, and connect 23 hardened computer sites in the US and Canada. Task was to detect incoming Soviet bombers and direct interceptor aircraft to destroy them.
    Operated by USF squadrons.