History of Computers

  • Hewlett-Packard

    HP 200A Audio Oscillator
    David Packard and Bill Hewlett make an electrical recorder and speaker system.
  • CNC

    Complex Number Calculator
    First Example of Remote Access Computing
  • Bombe

    The first Bombe is built, a computer used to decrypt Nazi communications. Idea came from Marian Rejewski’s “Bomba”
  • Harvard Mark 1

    Room-sized, relay-based computer/calculator, quickly surpassed by electronic technologies.
  • Project Whirlwind

    Project Whirlwind
    The U.S. Navy asks MIT to develop a flight simulator to train bomber crews during World War II. It’s completed in 1951, and with it comes the perfection of magnetic core memory by one of it’s designers, Jay Forrester.
  • First computer programs

    University of Manchester researchers build the Manchester “Baby”. It uses new technology, the first high-speed electronic random access memory in a computer. The first program to run on a electronic computer was run by Tom Kilburn on June 21st, 1948.
  • Era 1101

    First commercially produced computer, intended for high-speed computing, stored 1 million hits in a magnetic drum, one of the earliest magnetic storage systems.
  • Keyboard Input

    MIT researchers started to experiment with the idea of using a keyboard to enter commands into a computer, rather than manually insert punch cards into the computer like it had been done before.
  • Model 501

    Model 501
    Built using a “building block system”, the 501 could control 63 tape drives, storing lots of information, but slowing the computer down.
  • DEC PDP-1

    The PDP-1 uses technology that will become common in minicomputers. It also inspired early hackers, who wrote the first computerized video game, Spacewar!
  • Minuteman Missile Guidance System

    Used to constantly calculate the exact position of the missile they were on, the Minuteman guidance system started to up the quality control of manufacturers, in order to make pieces that could survive a missile launch.
  • First Man on the Moon

  • Atari

    Atari designs 2 knew microcomputers after the success of their game console. The Atari 400 and 800 are for gaming, and as a home computer, respectively.
  • Commodore 64

    Commodore 64
    The incredible graphics of the C64 combined with the 1000s of softwares to come out during it’s time make the Commodore the single greatest selling computer of all time.
  • Mr. Hash

  • Ebay is Founded

  • Google

    The Google search engine is developed.
  • Facebook launches

  • YouTube is Founded

    YouTube is Founded
  • Amazon Kindle

    Not the first, but the most influential e-reader made. Later additions added more audio and video capability.
  • iPad

    The Apple iPad is the base of an iPhone, but with a bigger screen, no phone, but way more apps to do way more things, from inventory management to movie making.
  • Raspberry Pi

    This handheld computer is a simple to use learning tool made for students and hobbyists.
  • Curiosity Rover

    Curiosity Rover
    The Curiosity Rover Lands on Mars
  • PlayStation 4

    The PlayStation 4 is released, soon followed by the Xbox One.
  • Apple Watch

    It had been tried before, but the Apple Watch essentially is able to do what others couldn’t as it puts the power of a computer on a wristband.
  • First Landing on the Far Side of the Moon