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Elektro at the World's Fair
(http://www.computerhistory.org/timeline)
Built by Westinghouse, the relay-based Elektro robot responds to the rhythm of voice commands and delivers wisecracks pre-recorded on 78 rpm records. It appeared at the World's Fair, and it could move its head and arms… and even "smoked" cigarettes. Elektro knew about 700 words and he could also blow up balloons. I chose Elektro because it surprised me that at that time (1939), there was a robot that could speak and that could smoke. -
Asimov's Three Laws of Robotics
(http://www.computerhistory.org/timeline)
1.A robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm.
2.A robot must obey the orders given to it by human beings, except where such orders would conflict with the First Law.
3.A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Laws.
I chose this because it revolutionised sci. fiction stories and made them interesting. -
Atanasoff-Berry Computer (ABC)
The ABC was the first ever digital electronic computer ever made. We still use them today: in cellphones, today's computers, etc. This is why i chose this event. -
Curta Calculator
While imprisioned by the Nazis, Curt Herztark (Austrian engineer) worked on the world's tinniest calculator so he could extend the time he was alive. I chose this because he was pressioned to work on his calculator or he would die. He completed the calculator and worked! It had four functions.
The date is not specific, but it's on 1943. -
Colossus Computer
The use to which the Colossus computers were put was of the highest secrecy, and the Colossus itself was highly secret, and remained so for many years after the War. It was used to decrypt Nazi messages and historians believed it was for this reason that the war lasted 6 years.
I chose this article because it was left as a secret and revealed in the 70's. What else does the government has hidden?
The date is not specific, but it's on 1944 -
First Computer Bug
The term 'bug' was used before as error or mistake. But in 1945, Grace Hopper records the first actual bug. It was a moth stuck between two relay contacts.
It was really funny, that's why I chose this article. -
First Computer Program to run on a Computer
Small-Scale Experimental Machine (SSEM), better known as the Manchester "Baby." because it was built in University of Manchester. I really like programs. -
I, Robot
Isaac Asimov again published a book. It has 9 stories of science fiction all that includes the three laws of robotics. I saw the movie and after learning that it was from a book it makes me want to read it. -
Lejaren Hiller and Leonard Isaacson complete the Illiac Suite
(http://www.computerhistory.org/timeline)
Created using the Illiac I computer at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, the Illiac Suite is one of the earliest pieces of music composed using an electronic computer. The piece consisted of four musical “experiments” for string quartet, each comprised of two parts.
I like music and to be one of the earliest, it sounded pretty good. Here is the link for youtube... (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n0njBFLQSk8)
Day&MonthNotSpecific -
Joseph Weizenbaum Joseph Weizenbaum's ELIZA
ELIZA is a natural language processing environment. Its most famous mode was called DOCTOR, which responded to user questions much like a psychotherapist. DOCTOR was able to trick some users into believing they were interacting with another human. It was a really advanced AI and I saw it interesting.
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LaserDisc
(http://www.computerhistory.org/timeline)
The LaserDisc is introduced as “Discovision” by MCA and Philips. It offered better audio and video quality than its competitors. Now obsolete, it was the direct forerunner of the CD and DVD.
The parent of CD's and DVD's. We have changed from LaserDisc to Blu-Ray. We use discs daily for many things. -
Movie 'Tron' - with computer graphics in a computer world...
When talented computer engineer Kevin Flynn finds out that Ed Dillinger, an executive at his company, has been stealing his work, he tries to hack into the system. However, Flynn is transported into the digital world, where he has to face off against Dillinger's computerized likeness, Sark, and the imposing Master Control Program. Aided by Tron and Yori, Flynn becomes a freedom fighter for the oppressed programs of the grid.
Really liked the movie, the reason I chose this. -
CD-ROM
(http://www.computerhistory.org/timeline)
Able to hold 550 megabytes of pre-recorded data, CD-ROMs grow out of music Compact Disks (CDs).
I chose it because I saw it interesting.
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Computer defeats master chess player
For the first time, David Levy was defeated by a computer.
Day&MonthNotSpecific
To think AI has beaten a master chess player... WOW! -
Nintendo releases GameBoy handheld game console.
(http://www.computerhistory.org/timeline)
The system used removable game cartridges to play on its 2.9-inch black and white screen. Game Boy's popularity was helped by its major release title, the puzzle game Tetris. Over nearly twenty years, more than one hundred million Game Boys were sold, making it one of the all-time, top-selling game systems.
I had one and I was born the same day, 9 years after it was released. -
Sony releases the PlayStation (PS) in North America
(http://www.computerhistory.org/timeline)
Originally a disk-based gaming system, it started as a collaboration to create a CD-ROM-based version of the Super Nintendo gaming system with Nintendo. Sony continued the game system project, eventually settling on a system that would support games, as well as audio CD playback. The PS sold more than a hundred million units, setting the stage for Sony to become a dominant player in the home gaming market.
Was the first console I played. -
Sony releases the PlayStation 2 (PS2) - Japan
(http://www.computerhistory.org/timeline)
PS2 represents a significant change in the concept of game consoles. The PS2 allowed for DVDs to be played as well as game disks, making it more of an entertainment console than a game console. Over more than ten years in active production, the PlayStation 2 has sold more than a hundred and fifty million units, making it one of the most successful game systems ever released. The PS was the first I played, but PS2 the first I owned. And I played it a lot. -
The Roomba is introduced
(computerhistory.org/timeline)
iRobot’s Roomba is introduced. Using a cleaning algorithm, the autonomous robotic vacuum cleaner could clean a room while detecting and avoiding obstacles. Rodney Brooks, co-founder of iRobot, previously performed research at MIT’s Mobile Robotics Lab. The research focused on using insect-like reflex behavior instead of a central "brain" to create purposeful behaviour.
The first machine we had that was left at home on. It cleaned the floor while we did other stuff! -
The Apple iPhone is released.
(http://www.computerhistory.org/timeline)
Apple launches the iPhone - a combination of web browser, music player and cell phone - which could download new functionality in the form of "apps" (applications) from the online Apple store. The touchscreen enabled smartphone also had built-in GPS navigation, high-definition camera, texting, calendar, voice dictation, and weather reports.
A friend showed me his, and I noted how different the technology was, compared to other machines. I loved it. -
Apple Watch
(http://www.computerhistory.org/timeline)
Building a computer into the watch form factor has been attempted many times but the release of the Apple Watch leads to a new level of excitement. The Apple Watch was designed to be incorporated into the Apple environment with compatibility with iPhones and Mac Books. Almost a million units were ordered on the day of release.
To wear a fashionable computer on your hand... COOL! It facilitates life, and don't have to take out your phone.