Major events in the history of technology

By Charlin

  • Wireless TV remote control released

    In 1955 the first wireless TV remote called the "Flash Matic" was developed by Eugene Polley, an engineer who worked for Zenith Electronics. It shot out a beam of light at several photo receptors in the cornerns of the screen and was able to change channels, turn on and off the screen and turn on and off the sound. This invention revolutionized TV watching as it removed the infamous cable that existing remotes used.

  • Engelbart unveils the computer mouse

    Douglas Engelbart, an engineer, inventor and internet pioneer is credited as the creator of the computer mouse. Engelbart focused on HCI or Human-Computer Interaction and in 1964 created the first computer mouse. The invention was not unveiled to the public until 1968. The mouse would go on to be shipped with Apple Macintosh and became the foundation for modern computer mouses and controls

  • Microsoft

    In 1975 Microsoft was founded by Bill Gates and Paul Allen. They started of selling a basic programming language for a computer named the Altair 8800. The Altair 8800 was a microcomputer released in 1974 and was the first personal computer which recieved commercial success. Microsoft went on to produce software systems for computers, the most famous being their different interpretations of the windows system which is now used in over 70% of all laptop and desktop computers.

  • Java

    Java was first released in 1996. Java is one of the most, if not the most, used programming language. Being used to build major parts of Google such as Gmail and also huge video games like Minecraft. Java was made by a Sun Microsystems team called the "Green Team", led by James Gosling. The project was started in 1991 however the first edition of Java that was released to the public came in 1996 and was named Java 1.0.

  • Wi-Fi is available for the public

    In 1997, Vic Hayes led the IEEE (an organisation of engineers) that helped the development for Wi-Fi. Wi-Fi became first available for the public in 1997. In 1997, the 802.11 standards (a group of specifications) were set by IEEE and Wi-Fi alliance (an organisation that promotes and certifies wi-fi products) to develop wireless LAN, which uses communication in a local area network. There's several components for making Wi-Fi technology and multiple inventors that contributed for the invention.

  • Wi-Fi is available for the public (part 2)

    Wi-Fi makes it possible for smartphones and computers to communicate over a high-frequency wireless radio signal, to access the internet when your device picks up the signal. But to access the internet, you'll need a router. The router is through an ethernet cable physically connected to the internet and then broadcasts the signal to different devices.