Timeline: Timeline Project: The Evolution and Future of Computer Technology

Jan 1, 1801

The very first automatic loom

In France, Joseph Marie Jacquard invents a loom that uses punched wooden cards to automatically weave fabric designs. Early computers would use similar punch cards.

Sep 17, 1937

First electric computer

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.

Aug 7, 1946

first commercial computer for business and government

Mauchly and Presper leave the University of Pennsylvania and receive funding from the Census Bureau to build the UNIVAC, the first commercial computer for business and government applications.

Apr 19, 1958

First computer circuit

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.

Sep 11, 1971

First floppy disk

Alan Shugart leads a team of IBM engineers who invent the “floppy disk,” allowing data to be shared among computers.

May 11, 1976

first software usable 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.

Jan 23, 1977

Personal computers hit the market

A number of personal computers hit the market, including Scelbi & Mark-8 Altair, IBM 5100, RadioShack’s TRS-80 —affectionately known as the “Trash 80” — and the Commodore PET.

Jan 19, 1994

First games for pc

PCs become gaming machines as "Command & Conquer," "Alone in the Dark 2," "Theme Park," "Magic Carpet," "Descent" and "Little Big Adventure" are among the games to hit the market.

Jul 21, 1997

Apple is saved

Microsoft invests $150 million in Apple, which was struggling at the time, ending Apple’s court case against Microsoft in which it alleged that Microsoft copied the “look and feel” of its operating system.