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ENIAC
John Mauchly and J. Presper Eckert create ENIAC, which set the foundation for modern computing. It was built at the University of Pennsylvania, and took up a 20 ft by 40 ft space. This proved that computing was possible at high speeds.
http://www.library.upenn.edu/exhibits/rbm/mauchly/jwmintro.html -
Transistors
William Shockley, John Bardeen and Walter Brattain build the first transistor. Transistor were made up of semi-conductors and replaced vacuum tubes allowing for computers to become much smaller. Transistors made it possible for computers to be built much more easily causing more to be made.
https://www.aps.org/programs/outreach/history/historicsites/transistor.cfm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WhNyURBiJcU -
FORTRAN
One of the first programming languages, FORTRAN was the first computer language to not require the user to write in assembly code. It was created by IBM programmers led by John Backus. This massively increased the efficiency of the programmers.
http://groups.engin.umd.umich.edu/CIS/course.des/cis400/fortran/fortran.html -
Intergrated Chip
Jack Kilby and Robert Noyce both came up for the idea for the integrated chip at similar times in different places. Transistors had become as small as possible, but not small enough. Using a single of silicon it had both transistor and wires. It also was faster than the old method. These allowed for electronics to become more widely used.
http://www.pbs.org/transistor/background1/events/icinv.html -
Graphical User Interface
Douglas Engelbart built the first GUI(Graphical User Interface) and mouse. This allowed for ease of use for the general public and it was the first step to household pcs. The mouse allowed for people to interact directly with the screen/GUI. People could click on things instead of typing in commands.
http://www.theoligarch.com/microsoft_vs_apple_history.htm
http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/G/Graphical_User_Interface_GUI.html -
Ethernet
Robert Metaclafe created the first designs for an Ethernet cable. This would allow for high-speed communications between computers for the first time. This was the precursor to the internet which is one of societies greatest changes in that allowed for the rapid communication created an interconnected world, and this created that between connected computers.
https://www.safaribooksonline.com/library/view/ethernet-the-definitive/1565926609/ch01.html -
x86 64-Bit Processing
AMD releases the first processor with 64-bit processing without reducing the efficiency of the computer. This made it possible for home PCs to run 64-bit software massively increasing speeds and increased possible memory to 256 TB. IT also increases speed and security bringing upon a slew of advanced programs for the common user.
http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/x86-64
http://www.theinquirer.net/inquirer/feature/2262881/amd-brought-64bit-to-x86-10-years-ago-today -
Source for all of these: http://www.timetoast.com/timelines/computer-innovations-timeline
