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First Mass-Produced Calculator Introduced
Invented by Thomas de Colmar, this was the first mass-produced calculator. It was widely used from its date of birth in 1820 all the way through 1915. It paved the way for the modern calculators we use today, and calculators (when combined with upcoming inventions) are the basis for computers. This was an important milestone in computer history. -
Bell Invents the Telephone
This invention really pioneered the way we communicate with each other. Alexander Graham Bell wanted to further the abilities of the telegraph, freeing us from having to send costly messages and decode Samuel Morse's code. It helped spark a revolution in technology, pushing others on in a race to invent something new and technologically important. -
Zuse Invents the Z1 Computer
Konrad Zuse was the man who invented the first real computer. You could think of it as a calculator on steroids, since its basic functions were to add and subtract. You oculd enter up to 22 bits per word into the computer, and it had a 64 word memory. In later years a Z2 and a Z3 model were introduced, piquing the interest of many technological manufacturers and inspiring them to build similar models. -
IBM Invents the First Hard Drive
The first ever hard drive wasn't very efficient. Introduced by IBM, it was the size of two refrigerators, stored 5 million 6-bit characters, and was comprised of 50 stacked discs. It was, however, a giant leap forward in information storage technology, and would soon become the basis for ROM, secondary storage, and the computers we love and use today. -
IBM Markets First Electric Typewriter
Known more commonly back then as the "Selectric" typewriter, the mechanism called a typeball that made the typewriter type flipped conventional typewriters upside down. The idea that typing could be easy and commonplace helped spur on competitors to create the lastest and best technologies, especially with the recent introduction of Zuse's Z1 and Z3 computers. -
Microsoft: The Early Years
This is the year that William (now Bill) Gates and his friend Paul Allen start offer to build a computer for MITS. This is the beginning of what will soon become Microsoft. In recent years, advancements in computer technology have allowed for anyone to be able to build a computer with proper knowledge and supplies. (Note: this is also the year that Steve Jobs builds the first Apple computer in his garage.) -
Netscape is Introduced
Netscape was the first internet browser introduced. It had a short stint in the nineties, losing popularity to other programs like Google. Without Netscape, web browsers as we know them may not be the way they are today. We have the spirit of competition to thank for the development of other, similar, better programs today. -
Apple Releases the iMac
This computer was the first widely marketed personal computer ever. The size was roughly that of a toaster oven, and it garnered attention in homes throughout the world. Suddenly everyone had to have this incredible computer! The iMac was the first in a long line of great products, an undeniably important event in computer history. -
Google is Founded
Google: everyone knows it. It has become the epitome of web-browsing sites, the holy grail of information. Where would we be without Google? Try and imagine a life of doing homework in libraries rather than online. Sounds miserable, right? I really had no choice but to include it in this timeline, since it is such an integral part of the computer experience. -
iPhone is Created
The release of the iPhone was revolutionary: people all around the world were lined up outside stores to purchase their very own. It combined the most innovative features of phones and the internet, creating a user-friendly touch-screen interface. It has made way for a succession of many other similar products that are continually advancing the world of technology.
