-
Charles Babbage's Analytical Machine
Classified as a "general use" machine but in reality it was simply a calculator and was programmed via a plugboard. This was also where the first program was made. This was made by Charles Babbage Himself. (https://www.britannica.com/technology/Analytical-Engine) -
Boolean Algebra (https://www.investopedia.com/terms/b/boolean-algebra.asp#:~:text=Boolean%20algebra%20is%20a%20division,book%20by%20mathematician%20George%20Boole.&text=Most%20commonly%20Boolean%20variables%20are,0%20(%22false%22).)
Although we still have not reached the level of literal digital programming, the former wouldn't even exist without boolean algebra. Invented by George Boole in 1854, this subcategory of algebra allows variables to be represented by a condition, such as true or false. This is important because it allows one to be true and zero to be false, hence allowing for statements conditional upon user input etcetera. -
Thermionic Emisions (https://avs.scitation.org/doi/abs/10.1116/1.581157?journalCode=jva#:~:text=Thermionic%20emission%20was%20discovered%20by,thermionic%20emission%20consisted%20of%20electrons.)
Thermionic emission is classified literally as the liberation of electrons in the for of heat. This definition cannot stand alone as a great event in the development of software; this discovery did launch technology into a new era, providing new technology to the phone and television, which was later applied to create the nipkow disk. The nipkow disk wasn't that important but it did launch us into the age of digital programming. -
Z3 Digital Computer
Completed in 1941, the Z3 was the worlds first: fully digital, fully functional, and automatically programmable computer. Invented by Konrad Zuse, this machine catapults us into the era of digital computing. (https://www.inverse.com/article/15542-konrad-zuse-s-z3-the-world-s-first-programmable-computer-was-unveiled-75-years-ago) -
Magnetic Core Memory
In 1949, An Wang was credited with inventing the magnetic core memory concept. Although revolutionary, this concept wasn't applied until much later, when made practical by Fred Williams.
(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnetic-core_memory) -
COBOL
In 1952, Grace Hopper pioneers the idea of creating programming languages. This allows programmers to program with words instead of numbers, making for a much easier time of things.
(https://www.microfocus.com/en-us/what-is/cobol#:~:text=COBOL%20stands%20for%20Common%20Business,which%20the%20computer%20can%20understand.) -
SABRE
SABRE, an acronym meaning Semi-Automatic Business Research Environment, was the worlds first example of a computer network. Coined by the Airline industry, This development was the foundation of how networks function today. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sabre_Corporation) -
Database
In 1963, the first version of a database was exemplified by General Electrics invention named IDS. (https://www.thinkautomation.com/histories/the-history-of-databases/) -
The First Software Patent
Martin Goetz is issued the very first software patent. This is marking the era where software is readily available and can be bought/ sold, Making an entirely new industry. (https://www.ipwatchdog.com/2014/11/30/the-history-of-software-patents-in-the-united-states/id=52256/#:~:text=The%20first%20software%20patent%20was,ever%20granted%2C%20U.S.%20Patent%20No.) -
8 Bit Processor
An early, byte oriented processor; the * bit processor marks the beginning of the processor era. Later replaced by the 8080 processor, this was the first true processor of this era. (https://chipscapes.com/products/intel-8008-the-first-8-bit-microprocessor-c8008)