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The Microchip
1) Jack Kirby, Robert Noyce
2) Jack Kirby for the integrated circuit (miniaturized electronic circuits) and Robert Noyce for silicon-based integrated circuit. Here we begin the movement from large discrete components, like the vacuum tube to miniature electronic circuit.
3) photo: https://www.thestoryoftexas.com/upload/images/artifact-spotlight/2014-12-12%20microchip/as_microchip_gallery1.jpg -
LED lighting
1) Robert Biard, Gary Pittman, Texas Instruments (1961),Nick Holonyak, General Electric (1962)
2) While the first LED was invented in 1961 (Biard, Pittman), being infrared it was not visible to human eye and had limited application (could be used for remote controls). The invention of the visible red LED (Holonyak) in 1962 brought in the indicator light for computers.
3) image: http://www.historyoflighting.net/images/historyoflighting/light-emitting-diodes-3.jpg -
The Computer Mouse
1) Douglas Engelbart
2) While this device only moved in one direction at a time, here was the device we so commonly use today to interact with our computers. Note: patented as: X-Y Position Indicator for a Display System
3) photo: https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/cf063bdc514f194c45aa41770e889cfc-970-80.jpg.webp -
First Handheld Calculator (CAL TECH)
1) Jack Kirby (Texas Instruments)
2) While the first commercially available handheld calculator didn't release till 1970, the CAL TECH begain portability to computing technology.
3) image: https://edtechmagazine.com/k12/sites/default/files/uploads/1967_caltech.jpg -
UNIX Operating System
1) Ken Thompson, Dennis Ritchie (AT&T's Bell Labs)
2) Originally named UNICS (Uniplexed Information and Computing Service) later in renamed UNIX in summer of 1969. It is thought that the internet itself would not have been possible without UNIX system.
3) photo: https://history-computer.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Unix-2.jpg
