-
Konrad Zuse finishes the Z3 Computer
The Z3 uses 2,300 relays, performs floating point binary arithmetic, and has a 22-bit word length. The Z3 was used for aerodynamic calculations -
First Computer Program to Run on a Computer
The Baby was built to test a new memory technology developed by Williams and Kilburn -- soon known as the Williams Tube – which was the first electronic random access memory for computers. -
ERA 1101 Introduced
One of the first commercially produced computers, the company´s first customer was the US Navy. The 1101, designed by ERA but built by Remington-Rand, was intended for high-speed computing and stored 1 million bits on its magnetic drum, one of the earliest magnetic storage devices and a technology which ERA had done much to perfect in its own laboratories. -
First Programmable Robot
The first programmable robot is designed by George Devol. He coins the term Universal Automation. -
Introduction of The Beast
Johns Hopkins creates the beast. It is controlled by hundreds of transistors and able to seek out photocell outlets when its battery runs low. -
First Industrial Robot
The first industrial robot was online in a General Motors automobile factory in New Jersey. It was Devol and Engelberger's UNIMATE. It performed spot welding and extracted die castings. -
First Artificial Robotic Arm
The first artificial robotic arm to be controlled by a computer was designed. The Rancho Arm was designed as a tool for the handicapped and its six joints gave it the flexibility of a human arm. -
Creation of WAN
WAN was an immediate precursor ARPANET, of which Roberts became program manager. -
Apollo Guidance Computer
Apollo Guidance Computer (AGC) is the culmination of years of work to reduce the size of the Apollo spacecraft computer from the size of seven refrigerators side-by-side to a compact unit weighing only 70 lbs. and taking up a volume of less than 1 cubic foot. The AGC’s first flight was on Apollo 7. -
Creation of the ARPANET
The Arpanet was the first wide area packet switching network, the "eve" network of what has evolved into the internet we know and love today. -
Shakey Introduced
Shakey was introduced as the first mobile robot controlled by artificial intelligence. SRI International in California produced this small box on wheels that used memory to solve problems and navigate. At Stanford University a robot arm is developed which becomes a standard for research projects. The arm is electrically powered and becomes known as the Stanford Arm -
First Commercially Available Robot
The first commercially available minicomputer-controlled industrial robot is developed by Richard Hohn for Cincinnati Milacron Corporation. The robot is called the T3, The Tomorrow Tool. -
First Attempts at Hand Eye Coordination for Robots
Scientists at Edinburgh University create the Freddy robot, taking steps in hand-eye coordination technology. This first assembly robot constructed a toy boat and car from a heap of mixed parts tipped onto a table. -
IBM introduces its personal computer
The first IBM PC, formally known as the IBM Model 5150, was based on a 4.77 MHz Intel 8088 microprocessor and used Microsoft´s MS-DOS operating system. -
First Humanoid Robot in Space
Robonaut 2, the latest generation of the Robonaut astronaut helpers, launched to the space station aboard space shuttle Discovery on the STS-133 mission in February 2011. It is the first humanoid robot in space. Although its primary job for now is demonstrating to engineers how dexterous robots behave in space, hope is that, through upgrades and advancements, it could one day venture outside the station to help spacewalkers make repairs or additions to the station or perform scientific work.
