-
1976: Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak start Apple Computers on April Fool’s Day and roll out the Apple I, the first computer with a single-circuit board.
-
1977: Radio Shack's initial production run of the TRS-80 was just 3,000. It sold like crazy. For the first time, non-geeks could write programs and make a computer do what they wished.
-
1978: Accountants rejoice at the introduction of VisiCalc, the first computerized spreadsheet
-
1981: The first IBM personal computer, code-named “Acorn,” is introduced. It uses Microsoft’s MS-DOS operating system. It has an Intel chip, two floppy disks and an optional color monitor. Sears & Roebuck and Computerland sell the machines, marking the first time a computer is available through outside distributors. It also popularizes the term PC.
-
1985: Microsoft announces Windows, its response to Apple’s GUI. Commodore unveils the Amiga 1000, which features advanced audio and video capabilities.
-
1986: Compaq brings the Deskpro 386 to market. Its 32-bit architecture provides as speed comparable to mainframes
-
2001: Apple unveils the Mac OS X operating system, which provides protected memory architecture and pre-emptive multi-tasking, among other benefits. Not to be outdone, Microsoft rolls out Windows XP, which has a significantly redesigned GUI.
-
2005: YouTube, a video sharing service, is founded. Google acquires Android, a Linux-based mobile phone operating system.
-
2006: Apple introduces the MacBook Pro, its first Intel-based, dual-core mobile computer, as well as an Intel-based iMac. Nintendo’s Wii game console hits the market.
-
2007: The iPhone brings many computer functions to the smartphone.
-
2009: Microsoft launches Windows 7, which offers the ability to pin applications to the taskbar and advances in touch and handwriting recognition, among other features.
-
2010: Apple unveils the iPad, changing the way consumers view media and jumpstarting the dormant tablet computer segment
-
2011: Google releases the Chromebook, a laptop that runs the Google Chrome OS.
-
2012: Facebook gains 1 billion users on October 4.
-
2015: Apple releases the Apple Watch. Microsoft releases Windows 10.
