Computer History Timeline

By csci
  • 400

    Ancient History and Origins

    Computer PrehistoryThe abacus was the first counting aid that was invented in Babylon in the fourth century BC.
  • Period: to

    First Thinking and Counting Machines

    PrehistoryJohn Napier invents logs in 1614. Wilhelm Schickard builds the first mechanical calculator in 1642.
  • Period: to

    First Calculators

    Prehistory. Charles Babbage creates a steam powered calculator in 1820. In 1833, Augusta Ada Byron met Babbage and published an analysis about programming, data, looping and memory addressing.

  • First Electronic Devices

    Electronics Konrade Zuse completes the first programmable calculator in 1941. Colossus is operational for code breaking by 1943.

  • First Transistor

    Electronics Bell Telephone laboratories develop the transistor in 1947.

  • First Saved Data

    ElectronicsThe UNIVAC is developed in 1951 and can store 12000 digits

  • Integrated Circuit

    ElectronicsTexas Instruments and Fairchild semiconductor create the integrated circuit in 1959.

  • Sketchpads

    Miniature ElectronicsIvan Sutherland demonstrates Sketchpad on a TX-2 mainframe in 1962. A typical minicomputer costs around $20000. In 1965, an IC costs less than $10

  • First Publicly Known Computer

    ElectronicsThe IBM 360 is introduced in April of 1964 and becomes the standard institutional mainframe computer.

  • Word Processor and More Companies

    Miniature ElectronicsIn 1968, Doug Engelbart demonstrates a word processor and Gordon Moore and Robert Noyce found Intel that same year.

  • Xerox PARC

    Miniature ElectronicsXerox PARC is created in 1969 to explore architecture information.

  • Beginning of Online Networking

    NetworkARPANET goes online in 1969

  • Development of Chips

    Miniature ElectronicsFairchild Semiconductors introduce a 256-bit RAM chip in 1970 and Intel creates a 1K Ram chip and the 4004, 4 bit processor later that year.

  • Beginning of The Micro Age

    MicroBill Gates and Paul Allen form Traf O Data in 1971 to sell their computer traffic analysis systems.

  • Mircoprocessors

    MicroIn 1972, Gary Kildall writes PL/M for the Intel processor. Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak are building and selling “blue boxes” in California. In 1972, Intel produces the 8008, 8 bit microprocessor.

  • Computer Networks go Public

    NetworkIn 1974, BBN opens the first public packet-switched network- Telenet.

  • Mark 8

    microJonathan Titus designs the Mark 8 in 1974. It is known as "Your Personnal MiniComputer" on the cover of Radio Electronics

  • Altair and Microsoft

    MicroPopular Electronics announced the Altair 8800 in January 1975 later Microsoft is born.

  • Prices of Computers

    MicroIn 1977, the Apple II sells for $1195.

  • Creation of More Networks

    NetworkTCP/IP is created as the standard for ARPANET in 1982

  • Built in Screens

    MicroThe Apple Macintosh is created in 1984 with a built in screen.
  • Period: to

    Networks Increase

    NetworkThe number of network hosts breaks 10000 in 1987 and breaks 100000 in 1989

  • Computer Profits

    MicroBy 1989 Microsoft sales reach $1billion.

  • Computer Networks go Global

    NetworkTim Berners-Lee develops the world wide web and is released in 1991.

  • The World Wide Web has Become Used on a Daily Basis Globally

    NetworkBy 1992, the number of hosts breaks 100000. The world wide web sports a growth rate of 341,634% in service traffic in 1993.

  • Sony releases the PlayStation in North America

    TimelineOfComputers.orgPlaystation is a disk based gaming system that generates over 100 million sales. It is the beginning of 3D gaming and revolutionizes AI that is used for entertainment purposes.

  • Java

    FreeJavaGuideJava is developed by James Gosling in 1995. It is a well known for its programming capabilities.

  • COPPA

    ComputerHopeChildren's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) goes into affect in 2000. This creates laws preventing websites from collecting information on children under 13 and this helps create more laws on how computers can be used.

  • Ipods

    corbinballIpods are the most popular listeing devices and take up most of the mp3 industry. This marks the beginning of the end for CD's and the music industry being revolutionized.

  • Wi-Fi

    Wireless InternetThe first wireless internet was created at the same time this did create a lot more viruses for the first time as well.

  • Skype

    SkypeSkype was created in 2003. It was one of the first programs that let people communicate face to face through computers. Microsoft later bought skype for around $8 billion

  • Online Socializing

    corbinballFacebook is created by Mark Zuckerberg and is only open to Harvard Students at the time.

  • Youtube

    corbinballYoutube is created in 2005 and is the most popular video sharing site which lets anyone watch home made video.

  • Iphone

    corbinballApple introduces to IPhone in 2007 which revolutionizes both the mobile phone and computer industry. Computers have now been able to fit into cell phones.

  • Tablet Computers

    corbinballTablet computers have become the fastest adopted technology. They have also made computers much smaller.