A Brief History of Computers and Networks
...d J. Presper Eckert, the computer, the Mark I, computes complex tables for the U.S. Navy. Working with Thomas J. Watson Sr., this computer was mass-developed by the now famous company, IBM. Work completes on ENIAC in 1946. To make the machine appear more impressive to reporters during its unveiling, a team member (possibly Eckert) puts translucent spheres(halved ping pong balls) over the lights. The US patent office recognizes this as the first computer. IBM introduces the 701 the following year, 1947. It is the first commercially successful computer. In 1956 FORTRAN, a computer language, is introduced. Other early languages were then invented which includes LISP, COBOL, ALGOL, and BASIC. Although never widely used, ALGOL is the basis for many of today's languages. The first transistor powered computer was developed in 1958. Brilliant scientist Seymour Cray heads the development team for the new computer, Control Data's CDC1604. However, the transistor powered computer was short lived. In 1961 Fairchild Semiconductor introduces the integrated circuit which within a few years, made transistor powered computers obsolete. By this time, computers have become room-sized and much more powerful. On April 7, 1964, IBM introduces the System/360. While a technical marvel, the main feature of this machine is business oriented. In 1969 Bell Labs, develops its own operating system, UNIX. One of the many precursors to today's Internet, ARPANet, is quietly launched. Alan Keys, who will later become a designer for Apple, proposes the "personal computer." Also in 1969, unhappy with Fairchild Semiconductor, a group of technicians begin discussing forming their own company. This company, formed the next year, would be known as Intel. The movie Colossus:The Forbin Project has a supercomputer as the villain. Next year, The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes was the first feature length movie with the word computer in the title. In 1971, Texas Instruments introduces the first "pocket calculator." It weighs 2.5 pounds. With the country embroiled in a crisis of confidence known as Watergate, in 1973 a little publicized judicial decision takes the patent fo...