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First Electronic Computer
John Atanasoff and Clifford Berry invented the world's first electronic computer. They created a binary system of arithmetic, parallel processing, regenerative memory, and a seperation of memory and computer functions. They were also the first to patent a computing device. It was called ENIAC computer. http://inventors.about.com/library/weekly/aa050898.htm -
First Video Tape Recorder
Charles P. Ginsburg created the first tape recorder in 1951. VTR (video tape recorder) captured live images from television cameras by converting the information into electrical impulses. It then saved the image on the magnetic tape. http://inventors.about.com/library/inventors/blvideo.htm -
Invention of the Cassette
The Philips Company of the Netherlands invented the first compact audio-cassette. 1/8 inch tape of polyester was used by BASF to create the cassette. http://inventors.about.com/od/audiowaxrecordstomp3/a/Cassette_Tape.htm -
Invention of the Compact Disk
James Russell invented the compact disk in 1965. It is a popular form of digital storage for media used for computer files, pictures, and music. This was a huge invention that changed technology. However, it did not become popular until 1980 when the company Philips manufactured it. http://inventors.about.com/od/qrstartinventors/a/CD.htm -
Computer Mouse Invented
Douglas Engelbart was the inventor of the hand held mouse. Engelbart's company SRI filed for a patent on the mouse in 1970. http://inventors.about.com/od/famousinventions/fl/The-History-of-the-Computer-Mouse.htm -
Invention of Email
Ray Tomlinson created the basic internet email in late 1971. The @ sign was created to tell which user was "at" what computer. http://inventors.about.com/od/istartinventions/a/internet.htm#email -
Invention of the Floppy Disk
IBM introduced the first "memory disk" which is called a"floppy disk" today in 1971. The first floppy disk was an 8 inch flexable plastic disc coated with magnetic iron oxide. The computer data was written to and read from the disk. The floppy disk is considered a "revolutionary" device. http://inventors.about.com/od/computersandinternet/a/FloppyDisk.htm -
Invention of Liquid-Crystal Display (LCD)
James Fergason holds some of the fundamentals that created the LCD invention. LCD display have two sheets of polarizing material with a liquid crystal solution sandwhich between them. http://inventors.about.com/od/lstartinventions/a/LCD.htm -
Invention of Word Processor
Micropro International released the first commercially successful word processing software program in 1972. Word Processing is a manipulation of computer generated text data that includes creating, editing, storing, retrieving and printing documents. http://inventors.about.com/od/wstartinventions/a/WordStar.htm -
Invention of Printers
The original laser printer called EARS was developed at the Xerox Palo Alto Research Center in 1969 and completed in 1971. The laser printer was released in 1977. The inkjet printer was invented in 1976 but did not become a home consumer product until 1988. http://inventors.about.com/library/inventors/blcomputer_printers.htm
