Computer Inventions

By kanowow

  • DEC PDP-1

    The typical PDP-1 computer system, which sells for about $120,000, includes a cathode ray tube graphic display, paper tape input/output, needs no air conditioning and requires only one operator; all of which become standards for minicomputers. Its large scope intrigued early hackers at MIT, who wrote the first computerized video game, "SpaceWar!"

  • Naval Tactical Data System introduced

    The US Navy Tactical Data System uses computers to integrate and display shipboard radar, sonar and communications data.

  • CDC 6600 supercomputer introduced

    CDC 6600 supercomputer introduced
    The Control Data Corporation (CDC) 6600 performs up to 3 million instructions per second —three times faster than that of its closest competitor, the IBM 7030 supercomputer.

  • Invention of Calculator

    HP co-founder Bill Hewlett issues a challenge to his engineers: fit all of the features of their desktop scientific calculator into a package small enough for his shirt pocket. They did.

  • Xerox PARC Alto

    The Alto is a groundbreaking computer with wide influence on the computer industry. It was based on a graphical user interface using windows, icons, and a mouse, and worked together with other Altos over a local area network. It could also share files and print out documents on an advanced Xerox laser printer.