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steam driven calculating machine
English mathematician Charles Babbage conceives of a steam-driven calculating machine that would be able to compute tables of numbers. The project, funded by the English government, is a failure. More than a century later, however, the world’s first computer was actually built. -
punch card system
Herman Hollerith designs a punch card system to calculate the 1880 census, accomplishing the task in just three years and saving the government $5 million. He establishes a company that would ultimately become IBM. -
J. V. Atanasoff
J.V. Atanasoff, a professor of physics and mathematics at Iowa State University, attempts to build the first computer without gears, cams, belts or shafts. -
Giant computers
Two University of Pennsylvania professors, John Mauchly and J. Presper Eckert, build the Electronic Numerical Integrator and Calculator (ENIAC). Considered the grandfather of digital computers, it fills a 20-foot by 40-foot room and has 18,000 vacuum tubes. -
Computer chip
Jack Kilby and Robert Noyce unveil the integrated circuit, known as the computer chip. Kilby was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2000 for his work. -
Prototype of the modern computer
Douglas Engelbart shows a prototype of the modern computer, with a mouse and a graphical user interface (GUI). This marks the evolution of the computer from a specialized machine for scientists and mathematicians to technology that is more accessible to the general public. -
First Apple Computer
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. -
Apple II
Jobs and Wozniak incorporate Apple and show the Apple II at the first West Coast Computer Faire. It offers color graphics and incorporates an audio cassette drive for storage. -
Apple Lisa "laptop"
Apple’s Lisa is the first personal computer with a GUI. It also features a drop-down menu and icons. It flops but eventually evolves into the Macintosh. The Gavilan SC is the first portable computer with the familiar flip form factor and the first to be marketed as a “laptop.” -
Microsoft announces Windows
Microsoft announces Windows, its response to Apple’s GUI. Commodore unveils the Amiga 1000, which features advanced audio and video capabilities. -
Google
Sergey Brin and Larry Page develop the Google search engine at Stanford University. -
WiFi
The term Wi-Fi becomes part of the computing language and users begin connecting to the Internet without wires. -
Mac OS X
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. -
Firefox/Facebook
Mozilla’s Firefox 1.0 challenges Microsoft’s Internet Explorer, the dominant Web browsers. Facebook, a social networking site, launches. -
YouTube
YouTube, a video sharing service, is founded. Google acquires Android, a Linux-based mobile phone operating system. -
MacBook Pro
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. -
Iphone
The iPhone brings many computer functions to the smartphone. -
Windows 7
Microsoft launches Windows 7, which offers the ability to pin applications to the task bar and advances in touch and handwriting recognition, among other features. -
Ipad
Apple unveils the iPad, changing the way consumers view media and jumpstarting the dormant tablet computer segment. -
Chromebook
Google releases the Chromebook, a laptop that runs the Google Chrome OS. -
1 billion users
Facebook gains 1 billion users on October 4. -
Apple watch
apple releases the apple watch -
Windows 10
Microsoft released windows 10 -
automatic contingency planning
algorithm planing systems generate back up plans efficiently -
Custom robots in a matter of minutes
CSAIL’s “Interactive Robogami” lets you design and 3-D print origami-inspired robots from 2-D designs.
