History of the Computer

Model 'K'

Nov 5, 1937

SourceGeorge Stibitz designed the Model K, a simple calculator that demonstrated the application of boolean logic to computer design. This started a large development project at Bell Laboratories that would continue through WWII.

Bombe

Jan 1, 1939

Source
The Bombe was an electromechanical computer designed by British Intelligence to crack the German Enigma code. It was designed to predict the daily start positions of the tree rotors in an Enigma Machine.

Z3 Computer

Jan 1, 1941

SourceDeveloped by Konrad Zuse, the Z3 was the first true computer in the modern sense. It was used by german aircraft designers to analyze wing flutter, and played a role in the development of many aircraft designed during this time. It was destroyed by an Allied bombing run in 1943.

Colossus

Jan 1, 1943

Source
The Colossi were large computers used by the allies during WWII to decode German Lorenz Cipher encrypted messages. These computers are often credited with greatly shortening the war by allowing Allied commanders access to messages containing German troop positions, statements of planned action, and other valuable intelligence.

ENIAC

Jul 29, 1947

SourceThe ENIAC switches on for the first time. Originally meant to calculate artillery tables for the Army, the first fully electronic computer also played a key role in the development of the hydogen bomb. It is though that during its 10 year service , this computer completed more calculations than humanity as a whole had up to that point in history.

Manchester Smal- Scale Experimental Machine

Jun 21, 1948

Source
The Manchester SSEM made history when it ran its first program on 21 June, 1948, both for being the first computer to run an electronically stored program and for being the first computer to feature random access memory.

Kenbak-1

Jan 1, 1971

SourceConsidered to be the first truly personal computer, the Kenbak-1 could originally be bought for $750, and required users to program it using pure machine code inputs.

MIcroprocessor

Mar 1, 1971

Source
Intel unveils their model 4004, the first commercially available microprocessor.

Xerox PARC Alto

Mar 1, 1973

Source
The Xerox PARC Alto was a revolutionary system which featured several innovations that we would think of today as being definitive of a computer. The mouse, User Interface, and folder orginization system all debuted on this system.

Osborne 1

Apr 3, 1981

Source
The Osborne 1 was the first commercially successful microcomputer, paving the way for the slew of mobile devices in our lives today.