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Technology Progression Through the 1960s
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Timesharing
As a result of the efforts of Fernando Carbato, dozens of people could use computers at the same time by logging into phone lines via terminals. While the computers typically couldn't connect to one another, this was a precursor for email and chat. -
Introduction of MIT's "LINC"
MIT engineer Wesley Clark designed an important early design of the "personal computer," or a computer made to be operated by one user. This model was mostly used by science and medical laboratories and institutions, but it set the tone for building personal computers for the general public. -
Invention of the Computer Mouse
The design of the first computer mouse by Douglas Engelbart consisted of two gear-wheels aligned perpendicularly underneath a wooden base. When rolling, the wheel aligning with the direction rolled with the mouse and the other wheel slid along the surface. -
Olivetti Programma 101 Calculator
Designed by Pier Giorgio Perotto, this transistor-based printing programmable calculator could perform the four basic operations - addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division - and calculate square roots. It was more advanced than the Anita Mark VIII, which was released in 1961, and bridged the transition to the first handheld calculator, which was released in 1970. 10 were sold to NASA and used for the Apollo 11 Mood landing mission. -
The First Gaming Console - the Brown Box
The Brown Box, designed by television engineer Ralph Baer, was the first ever gaming console and allowed users to play games via a traditional television set. Table tennis and shooting games, for which there was a light gun accessory, were two common games played on the Brown Box.