Chanisse's Computer History

Charles Babbage

Sep 4, 1834

Created the 1st automatic calculator called the Analytical Engine. He actually based the machine off of another machine called the Difference Machine.

Herman Hollerith

Sep 4, 1890

Took Jacquard's punch-card concept and applied it with his Tabulation Machine. His machine became so successful that he left Census Bureau in 1896 to start his Tabulation Machine Company.

Z1 computer

Sep 4, 1936

Important breakthrough for future computer design. It was created by Konrad Zuse and it's a mechanical calculator.

Eniac

Sep 4, 1944

1st successful high-speed electronic digital computer. Used 18,00 vacuum tubes and filled about 1,800 square feet.

1st Generation Computers

Oct 4, 1944

Used vacuum tubes to store data. The Eniac and Univac are 1st generation computers.

2nd Generation Computers

Sep 4, 1945

Used transistors to store data.

Univac

Sep 4, 1951

Operated on magnectic tape, not punch cards. 1st commercially successful digital computer.

Jack Kilby

Sep 4, 1958

Invented intergrated circuits. He enabled computers to become smaller and lighter.

3rd Generation Computers

Nov 4, 1958

Used intergrated circuits.

BASIC

Sep 4, 1964

Became key language for PC. Led to the creation of Microsoft.

4th Generation Computers

Sep 4, 1971

Use microprocessor chip.

Introduction of the GUI

Sep 4, 1972

File management system with directories and folders. Not invented by computer company.

Altair Computer

Sep 4, 1975

Marked the start of personal computer boom. Sold at $395 as a kit.

Bill Gates

Nov 4, 1975

Wrote an interpreter program and sold it to Altair. He was the first to own an Altair.

Steve Jobs

Sep 5, 1976

Formed Apple Computer with Steve Wozinak. He worked for the computer game Atari.

Apple II

Sep 5, 1977

Operating system stored in ROM.Eventually included a spreadsheet program, word processor, and desktop publishing software.

Visicalc

Apr 5, 1978

1st electronic spreadsheet application.

WordStar

Nov 5, 1978

1st word processing application.

Osborne Computer

Sep 5, 1981

1st portable computer/preinstalled with spreadsheet and word processing software.

Pagemaker

Sep 5, 1985

1st desktop publishing software.

Excel

Dec 5, 1985

1st spreadsheet to use a graphical user interface.

Mosaic

Sep 5, 1993

Caused 350% increase in internet connection. Allowed users to view multimedia on the web.

Netscape

Sep 5, 1994

Became an open source in 1998 stating that they would no longer charge for the product and make the code available to the public.