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Tech highlights: 1970s

  • IBM System/370 Model 145

    IBM System/370 Model 145
    This was the first IBM computer to use semiconductors in its memory. As a result, it was almost 5 times faster than its predecessor. It could also hold twice the capacity in the same space--which, being the early '70s, was still an entire room!
  • The first "Pong" arcade cabinet

    The first "Pong" arcade cabinet
    "Pong" was designed by Allan Alcorn at Atari, and was one of the first video games ever made for public release. It was a smash hit in bars and arcades all across the country, and kickstarted the commercial gaming industry as we know it.
  • Ethernet

    Ethernet
    While not commercially released until 1980, Ethernet emerged in the private sector in the early-mid 70s, developed by Xerox to allow their systems to interconnect. It is still the standard used to internet connectivity to this day--though with decades of improvements and refinement, of course.
  • Apple II

    Apple II
    The Apple II was the titular company's breakout success. It was developed by Steve Wozniak and Rod Holt, with co-founder Steve Jobs responsible for its marketing. It was one of the first successful mass-produced microcomputers; basically, the Raspberry Pi of the '70s!
  • "MUD1", the first precursor to the modern MMO

    "MUD1", the first precursor to the modern MMO
    "MUD" stands for "Multi-User Dungeon", and was created by University of Essex students Roy Trubshaw and Richard Bartle starting in 1978. Primitive by today's online game standards, it was essentially a multiplayer version of contemporary text adventure games like "Zork" and "Colossal Cave Adventure". By 1984, more than 100 other MUDs had gained popularity across the world.