1950's Computer Progress

By reese.latto

  • Random Access Magnetic Core Store

    Random Access Magnetic Core Store
    Jay Forrester develops the predecessor to what we know as RAM today, allowing computers to start to store their data and processes.

  • FORTRAN

    FORTRAN
    Developed by John Backus at IBM, FORTRAN was the first high level computer language. Previous low level languages like Access required a high level of computer knowledge and were error prone. FORTRAN allowed for a higher quantity of people to use computers and streamlined errors.

  • First Commercial Transistor Based Computer

    First Commercial Transistor Based Computer
    IBM develops the IBM 608, the first fully transistorized computer available commercially. Transistors allowed for the computer to be significantly smaller than their vacuum tube predecessor, and had the processing capacity to allow for other innovations like memory storage and easier coding languages.

  • Hard Drive

    Hard Drive
    IBM developed the first computer hard drive in 1957, with 5 megabytes of storage. It allowed for storage of computer memory, but weighed one ton and required thousands of dollars in upkeep.

  • COBOL

    COBOL
    Developed by Grace Hopper in 1959, COBOL served as a translator between computer language and English. It converted commands into computer language, and when results were produced turned them back into English.