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Category Archives: Computer history
Boston Computer Society Established
Today in 1977, 13-year-old Jonathan Rotenberg established the Boston Computer Society (BCS), an organization for personal computer users which will eventually grow into the largest such organization in the world. Four people attended the first meeting of this group, which, … Continue reading
Posted in Computer history, User groups
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The First Social Network
Today in 1978, the first public dial-up Bulletin Board System, the Computerized Bulletin Board System, or CBBS, went online. It was developed by Ward Christensen and Randy Suess and reportedly connected more than 250,000 callers before it was finally retired with … Continue reading
Posted in Community, Computer history, Social Networks
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First Integrated Circuit Patent Application
Today in 1959, Jack Kilby filed a patent application for the Integrated Circuit, titled: “Method of making miniaturized electronic circuit.” Harold Evans in They Made America: “The University of Illinois gave him only average grades in electrical engineering, a disappointment … Continue reading
Posted in Computer history, Patents
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First U.S. “Calculating Machine”
Today in 1850, the first US patent (US No. 7,074) for a push-key operated adding machine is issued to Dubois D. Parmelee of New Paltz, New York. The first commercially successful calculator will be invented forty years later by William Burroughs.
Posted in Computer history, Patents
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IBM and The First Social Security Check
Today in 1940, Ida M. Fuller became the first person to receive an old-age monthly benefit check under the new Social Security law. Her first check, dated January 31, was for $22.54. The Social Security Act was signed into law by Franklin … Continue reading
Creating the Public Image of Computers: IBM’s SSEC
Today in 1948, IBM’s Selective Sequence Electronic Calculator (SSEC) was announced and demonstrated to the public.“The most important aspect of the SSEC,” according to Brian Randell in the Origins of Digital Computers, “was that it could perform arithmetic on, and … Continue reading
Posted in Computer history, IBM, Libraries, Social Impact
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Apple Introduces Lisa: “Great Artists Steal”
30 years ago today, Apple introduced Lisa, a $9,995 PC for business users. Many of its innovations such as the graphical user interface, a mouse, and document-centric computing, were taken from the Alto computer developed at Xerox PARC, introduced as … Continue reading
Posted in Apple, Computer history, Innovation, The Year in Information, Xerox
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SAGE Revealed
Today in 1956, the development of the Semi-Automatic Ground Environment (SAGE), is disclosed to the public. From MITRE’s website: “Looking back at the development of the computers supporting the SAGE, the origins of many key computer innovations are readily apparent. SAGE’s use of telephone … Continue reading
Steve Jobs and Bill Gates, 1997
Fifteen years ago today, Steve Jobs was on the cover of Time Magazine, thanking Bill Gates for saving Apple.
Posted in Apple, Computer history, Microsoft
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Computer Animation: From Fantasmagorie to Brave
Today in 1908, the first animated cartoon, Fantasmagorie, was released. The film (watch it on YouTube) was created by Émile Cohl by drawing each frame on paper and then shooting each frame onto negative film, which gave the picture a blackboard look. The … Continue reading
Posted in Animation, Computer history
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