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First Mechanical Computer
Charles Babbage created the first mechanical computer that could do simple calculations. It eventually failed due to funding issues. -
Punch Card System
Herman Hollerith invented a punch card system to calculate the U.S census. It saved the government 5 million dollars. The company eventually became IBM. -
First computer that is able to store information
J.V Anastoff creates a computer that can solve 29 equations at once. This is the first time a computer is able to store information on its main memory. -
Electronic Numerical Integrater and Calcuator
Considered the grandfather of digital computers, it filled a 20ft by 40ft room and contained 18,000 vacuum tubes. -
COBOL
Grace Hopper creates the first computer language, which eventually becomes known as COBOL. This helped IBM create the IBM 701 EDPM. It helped the U.S keep tabs on Korea during the war. -
Computer Chip
Jack Kilby and Robert Noyce introduced the integrated circuit, known as the computer chip. Kilby was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2000 for his work. -
GUI
Douglas Engelbart creates a prototype of the modern computer, with a mouse and a graphical user interface (GUI). This marks the evolution of the computer from a specialized machine for scientists and mathematicians to technology that is more accessible to the general public. -
DRAM Chip
The newly formed Intel introduces the Intel 1103, the first Dynamic Access Memory (DRAM) chip. -
Floppy Disk
Alan Shugart leads a team of IBM engineers who invent the floppy disk, allowing data to be shared among computers. It became popular very quickly due to its ease of use. -
Ethernet
Robert Metcalfe, a member of the research staff for Xerox, creates Ethernet for connecting multiple computers and other hardware together. -
Apple ll
Jobs and Wozniak incorporate Apple and show the Apple II at the first West Coast Computer Faire. It offers color graphics and incorporates an audio cassette drive for storage. -
Wifi
Wi-Fi becomes part of the computing language and users begin connecting to the Internet without wires. -
Macbook Pro
Apple introduces the MacBook Pro, its first Intel-based, dual-core mobile computer, as well as an Intel-based iMac. Nintendo’s Wii game console is also made. -
Hoverplane
A plane that offers verticle take off could be seen as early as 2017. It would cut back on runway takeoff and would be safer to land. -
3D Printers
While 3D printers are already availible, they are very expensive and usually too much for the average person. But they are becoming cheaper to make and you could have one for as low as $300 by 2019. -
Aircraft Lazers
Enemy threats have become increasingly sophisticated and the U.S. Air Force, along with DARPA and General Atomics, aim to stop it. Future war planes will have combat lasers called HELLADS to counter missiles, UAVs and other combat aircraft.
