Computer History Museum

Computers

Jan 1, 1939

Hewlett-Packard is Founded.

Computers

Feb 2, 1940

The Complex Number Calculator (CNC) is completed.

Computers

Mar 3, 1941

Konrad Zuse finishes the Z3 computer.

Computers

Apr 4, 1942

The Atanasoff-Berry Computer (ABC) is completed.

Computers

May 5, 1943

Project Whirlwind begins.

Computers

Jun 6, 1944

Harvard Mark-1 is completed.

Computers

Jul 7, 1945

John von Neumann wrote "First Draft of a Report on the EDVAC" in which he outlined the architecture of a stored-program computer.

Computers

Aug 8, 1946

In February, the public got its first glimpse of the ENIAC, a machine built by John Mauchly and J.

Components and Companies

Sep 9, 1947

The Williams tube won the race for a practical random-access memory.On December 23, William Shockley, Walter Brattain, and John Bardeen successfully tested this point-contact transistor, setting off the semiconductor revolution.

Computers and Robots & Artificial Intelligence

Oct 10, 1948

IBM´s Selective Sequence Electronic Calculator computed scientific data in public display near the company´s Manhattan headquarters. Norbert Wiener published "Cybernetics," a major influence on later research into artificial intelligence.

Computers and People & Pop Culture

Nov 11, 1949

Norbert Wiener published "Cybernetics," a major influence on later research into artificial intelligence.The Manchester Mark I computer functioned as a complete system using the Williams tube for memory.Thomas Watson Jr., speaking to an IBM sales meeting, predicted all moving parts in machines would be replaced by electronics within a decade.