1975
| 1976 | 1977 | 1978
| 1979 | 1980 | 1981
1982 | 1983 | 1984
| 1985 | 1986 | 1987
| 1988
1989 | 1990 | 1991
| 1992 | 1993 | 1994
| 1995
1996 | 1997 | 1998
| 1999 | 2000
In the Beginning
In
1971, Dr. Ted Hoff puts together all the elements of a computer
processor on a single silicon chip slightly larger than one
square inch. The result of his efforts is the Intel 4004,
the world's first commercially available microprocessor. The
chip is a 4-bit computer containing 2,300 transistors (invented
in 1948) that can perform 60,000 instructions per second.
Designed for use in a calculator, it sells for $200. Intel
sells more than 100,000 calculators based on the 4004 chip.
Almost overnight, the chip finds thousands of applications,
paving the way for today's computer-oriented world, and for
the mass production of computer chips now containing millions
of transistors.
1975
The
first commercially available microcomputer, the Altair 880,
is the first machine to be called a "personal computer." It
has 64 KB of memory and an open 100-line bus structure. Selling
for about $400, the Altair 880 comes in a kit to be assembled
by the user.
Two young college students, Paul Allen and Bill Gates, unveil the BASIC language interpreter for the Altair computer. During summer vacation, the pair form a company called Microsoft, which eventually grows into the largest software company in the world.
At Bell Labs, Brian Kernighan and Dennis Ritchie develop the C programming language, which quickly becomes the most popular professional application development language.
1976
Steve Wozniak and Steve Jobs build the Apple I computer. It
is less powerful than the Altair, but also less expensive
and less complicated. Users must connect their own keyboard
and video display, and have the option of mounting the computer's
motherboard in any container they choose whether a metal case,
a wooden box, or a briefcase. Jobs and Wozniak form the Apple
Computer Company together on April Fool's Day, naming it after
their favorite snack food.
1977
The Apple II computer is unveiled. It comes already assembled
in a case, with a built-in keyboard. Users must plug in their
own TVs for monitors. Fully assembled microcomputers hit the
general market, with Radio Shack, Commodore, and Apple all
selling models. Sales are slow because neither businesses
nor the general public know exactly what to do with these
new machines.
Datapoint Corporation announces Attached Resource Computing Network (ARCnet), the first commercial LAN technology intended for use with microcomputer applications.
1978
Intel
releases the 8086 microprocessor, a 16-bit chip that sets
a new standard for power, capacity, and speed in microprocessors.
Epson announces the MX-80 dot-matrix printer, coupling high performance with a relatively low price. (Epson from Japan sets up operations in the U.S. in 1975 as Epson America, Inc., and becomes one of the first of many foreign companies to contribute to the growth of the PC industry. Up until this point, it has been U.S. companies only. According to Epson, they gain 60 percent of the dot printer market with the MX-80.)
1979
Intel introduces the 8088 microprocessor, featuring 16-bit
internal architecture and an 8-bit external bus.
Motorola introduces the 68000 chip, used in early Macintosh computers.
Software
Arts, Inc. releases VisiCalc, the first commercial spreadsheet
program for personal computers. VisiCalc is generally credited
as being the program that paved the way for the personal computer
in the business world.
Bob Metcalf, the developer of Ethernet, forms 3Com Corp. to develop Ethernet-based networking products. Ethernet eventually evolves into the world's most widely used network system.
MicroPro International introduces WordStar, the first commercially successful word processing program for IBM-compatible microcomputers.
1980
IBM
chooses Microsoft (co-founded by Bill Gates and Paul Allen)
to provide the operating system for its upcoming PC. Microsoft
purchases a program developed by Seattle Computer Products
called Q-DOS (for Quick and Dirty Operating System), and modifies
it to run on IBM hardware.
Bell Laboratories invents the Bellmac-32,
the first single-chip microprocessor with 32-bit internal
architecture and a 32-bit data bus.
Lotus
Development Corporation unveils the Lotus 1-2-3 integrated
spreadsheet program, combining spreadsheet, graphics, and
database features in one package.
1981
IBM
introduces the IBM-PC, with a 4.77 MHz Intel 8088 CPU, 16
KB of memory, a keyboard, a monitor, one or two 5.25-inch
floppy drives, and a price tag of $2,495.
Hayes Microcomputer Products, Inc., introduces the SmartModem 300, which quickly becomes the industry standard.
Xerox
unveils the Xerox Star computer. Its high price eventually
dooms the computer to commercial failure, but its features
inspire a whole new direction in computer design. Its little
box on wheels (the first mouse) can execute commands on screen
(the first graphical user interface).
1982
Intel
releases the 80286, a 16-bit microprocessor.
AutoCAD, a program for designing 2-D and 3-D objects, is released. AutoCAD will go on to revolutionize the architecture and engineering industries.
Work begins on the development of TCP/IP. The term Internet is used for the first time to describe the worldwide network of networks that is emerging from the ARPANET.
1983
Time magazine features the computer as the 1982 "Machine
of the Year," acknowledging the computer's new role in society.
Apple
introduces the Lisa, the first commercial computer with a
purely graphical operating system and a mouse. The industry
is excited, but Lisa's $10,000 price tag discourages buyers.
IBM unveils the IBM-PC XT, essentially a PC with a hard disk and more memory. The XT can store programs and data on its built-in 10MB hard disk.
The first version of C++ programming language is developed, allowing programs to be written in reusable independent pieces, called objects.
The Compaq Portable is released, the first successful 100 percent PC-compatible clone. Despite its hefty 28 pounds, it becomes one of the first computers to be lugged through airports.
1984
Adobe Systems releases its PostScript system, allowing printers
to produce crisp print in a number of typefaces, as well as
elaborate graphic images.
Apple
introduces the "user-friendly" Macintosh microcomputer.
IBM ships the IBM-PC AT, a 6 MHz computer using the Intel 80286 processor, which sets the standard for personal computers running DOS.
IBM introduces its Token Ring networking system. Reliable and redundant, it can send packets at 4 Mbps; several years later it speeds up to16 Mbps.
Satellite Software International introduces the WordPerfect word processing program.
1985
Intel releases the 80386 processor (also called the 386),
a 32-bit processor that can address more than 4 billion bytes
of memory and performs ten times faster than the 80286.
Aldus
releases PageMaker for the Macintosh, the first desktop publishing
software for microcomputers. Coupled with Apple's LaserWriter
printer and Adobe's PostScript system, PageMaker ushers in
the era of desktop publishing.
Microsoft announces the Windows 1.0 operating environment, featuring the first graphical user interface for PCs.
Hewlett-Packard
introduces the Laser Jet laser printer, featuring 300 dpi
resolution.
1986
IBM delivers the PC convertible, IBM's first laptop computer
and the first Intel-based computer with a 3.5-inch floppy
disk drive.
Microsoft sells its first public stock for $21 per share, raising $61 million in the initial public offering.
The
First International Conference on CD-ROM technology is held
in Seattle, hosted by Microsoft. Compact disks are seen as
the storage medium of the future for computer users.
1987
IBM
unveils the new PS/2 line of computers, featuring a 20-MHz
80386 processor at its top end. This product line includes
the MicroChannel bus, but is not a great success because consumers
do not want to replace industry standard peripherals. To compete
with IBM's MicroChannel architecture, a group of other computer
makers introduces the EISA (Extended Industry Standard Architecture)
bus.
IBM introduces its Video Graphics Array (VGA) monitor offering 256 colors at 320 x 200 resolution, and 16 colors at 640 x 480.
The
Macintosh II computer, aimed at the desktop publishing market,
is introduced by Apple Computer. It features an SVGA monitor.
Apple Computer introduced HyperCard, a programming language
for the Macintosh, which uses the metaphor of a stack of index
cards to represent a program—a kind of visual programming
language.
Motorola unveils its 68030 microprocessor.
Novell introduces its network operating system, called NetWare.
1988
IBM
and Microsoft ship OS/2 1.0, the first multitasking desktop
operating system. High price, a steep learning curve, and
incompatibility with existing PCs contribute to its lack of
market share.
Apple Computer files the single biggest lawsuit in the computer industry against Microsoft and Hewlett-Packard, claiming copyright infringement of its operating system and graphical user interface. Ashton-Tate sues Fox Software and The Santa Cruz Operation, alleging copyright infringement of dBase.
Hewlett-Packard introduces the first popular ink jet printer, the HP Deskjet.
Steve Jobs' new company, NeXT, Inc., unveils the NeXT computer, featuring a 25-MHz Motorola 68030 processor. The NeXT is the first computer to use object-oriented programming in its operating system and an optical drive rather than a floppy drive.
Apple
introduces the Apple CD SC, a CD-ROM storage device allowing
access to up to 650 MB of data. A virus called the "Internet
Worm" is released on the Internet, disabling about ten percent
of all Internet host computers.
1989
Intel releases the 80486 chip (also called the 486), the world's
first one-million-transistor microprocessor. The 486 integrates
a 386 CPU and math coprocessor onto the same chip.
Tim
Berners-Lee develops software around the hypertext concept,
enabling users to click on a word or phrase in a document
and jump either to another location within the document or
to another file. This software provides the foundation for
the development of the World Wide Web, and is the basis for
the first Web browsers.
The World Wide Web is created at CERN, the European Particle Physics Laboratory in Geneva, Switzerland for use by scientific researchers.
Microsoft's Word for Windows introduction begins the "Microsoft Office" suite adoption by millions of users. Previously, Word for DOS had been the second-highest-selling word processing package behind Word Perfect.
1990
Microsoft
releases Windows 3.0, shipping 1 million copies in four months.
A multimedia PC specification setting the minimum hardware requirements for sound and graphics components of a PC is announced at the Microsoft Multimedia Developers' Conference.
The National Science Foundation Network (NSFNET) replaces ARPANET as the backbone of the Internet.
Motorola announces its 32-bit microprocessor, the 68040, incorporating 1.2 million transistors.
1991
Apple
Computer launches the PowerBook series of battery-powered
portable computers.
Apple, IBM, and Motorola sign a cooperative agreement to design and produce RISC-based chips, integrate the Mac OS into IBM's enterprise systems, produce a new object-oriented operating system, and develop common multimedia standards. The result is the PowerPC microprocessor.
1992
With
an estimated 25 million users, the Internet becomes the world's
largest electronic mail network.
In Apple Computer's five-year copyright infringement lawsuit, Judge Vaughn Walker rules in favor of defendants Microsoft and Hewlett-Packard, finding that the graphical user interface in dispute is not covered under Apple's copyrights.
Microsoft ships the Windows 3.1 operating environment, including improved memory management and TrueType fonts.
IBM introduces its ThinkPad laptop computer.
1993
Mosaic, a point-and-click graphical Web browser, is developed
at the National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA),
making the Internet accessible to those outside the scientific
community.
Intel,
mixing elements of its 486 design with new processes, features,
and technology, delivers the long-awaited Pentium processor.
It offers a 64-bit data path and more than 3.1 million transistors.
Apple Computer expands its entire product line, adding the Macintosh Color Classic, Macintosh LC III, Macintosh Centris 610 and 650, Macintosh Quadra 800, and the Powerbooks 165c and 180c.
Apple introduces the Newton MessagePad at the Macworld convention, selling 50,000 units in the first ten weeks.
Microsoft ships the Windows NT operating system.
IBM
ships its first RISC-based RS/6000 workstation, featuring
the PowerPC 601 chip developed jointly by Motorola, Apple,
and IBM.
1994
Apple
introduces the Power Macintosh line of microcomputers based
on the PowerPC chip. This line introduces RISC to the desktop
market. RISC was previously available only on high-end workstations.
Netscape Communications releases the Netscape Navigator program, a World Wide Web browser based on the Mosaic standard, but with more advanced features.
Online service providers CompuServe, America Online, and Prodigy add Internet access to their services.
After two million Pentium-based PCs have hit the market, a flaw in the chip's floating-point unit is found by Dr. Thomas Nicely. His report is made public on CompuServe.
Linus Torvalds releases Linux, a freeware version of UNIX created by a worldwide collaboration of programmers who shared their work over the Internet.
1995
Intel releases the Pentium Pro microprocessor.
Motorola
releases the PowerPC 604 chip, developed jointly with Apple
and IBM.
Microsoft
releases its Windows 95 operating system with a massive marketing
campaign, including prime-time TV commercials. Seven million
copies are sold the first month, with sales reaching 26 million
by year's end.
Netscape Communications captures more than 80 percent of the World Wide Web browser market, going from a start-up company to a $2.9 billion company in one year.
A group of developers at Sun Microsystems create the Java development language. Because it enables programmers to develop applications that will run on any platform, Java is seen as the future of operating systems, applications, and the World Wide Web.
Power Computing ships the first-ever Macintosh clones, the Power 100 series with a PowerPC 601 processor.
1996
Intel announces the 200 MHz Pentium processor.
U.S.
Robotics releases the PalmPilot, a personal digital assistant
that quickly gains enormous popularity because of its rich
features and ease of use.
Microsoft adds Internet connection capability to its Windows 95 operating system.
Several vendors introduce Virtual Reality Modeling Language (VRML) authoring tools that provide simple interfaces and drag-and-drop editing features to create three-dimensional worlds with color, texture, motion video, and sound on the Web.
The U.S. Congress enacts the Communications Decency Act as part of the Telecommunications Act of 1996. The act mandates fines of up to $100,000 and prison terms for transmission of any "comment, request, suggestion, proposal, image or other communication which is obscene, lewd, lascivious, filthy, or indecent" over the Internet. The day the law is passed, millions of Web page backgrounds turn black in protest. The law is immediately challenged on Constitutional grounds, ultimately deemed unconstitutional, and repealed.
1997
Intel announces MMX technology, which increases the multimedia
capabilities of a micro-processor. Also, Intel announces the
Pentium II microprocessor. It has speeds of up to 333 MHz
and introduces a new design in packaging, the Single Edge
Contact (SEC) cartridge. It has more than 7.5 million transistors.
AMD and Cyrix step up efforts to compete with Intel for the $1000-and-less PC market. Their competing processors are used by PC makers such as Dell, Compaq, Gateway, and even IBM.
The U.S. Justice Department charges Microsoft with an antitrust lawsuit, claiming Microsoft was practicing anticompetitive behavior by forcing PC makers to bundle its Internet Explorer Web browser with Windows 95.
Netscape Communications and Microsoft release new versions of their Web browser. Netscape's Communicator 4 and Microsoft's Internet Explorer 4 provide a full suite of Internet tools, including Web browser, newsreader, HTML editor, conferencing program, and e-mail application.
Digital
Video/Versatile Disk (DVD) technology is introduced. Capable
of storing computer, audio, and video data, a single DVD disk
can hold an entire movie. DVD is seen as the storage technology
for the future, ultimately replacing standard CD-ROM technology
in PC and home entertainment systems.
1998
Microsoft
releases the Windows 98 operating system. Seen mainly as an
upgrade to Windows 95, Windows 98 is more reliable and less
susceptible to crashes. It also offers improved Internet-related
features, including a built-in copy of the Internet Explorer
Web browser.
The Department of Justice expands its actions against Microsoft, attempting to block the release of Windows 98 unless Microsoft agrees to remove the Internet Explorer browser from the operating system. Microsoft fights back and a lengthy trial begins in federal court, as the government attempts to prove that Microsoft is trying to hold back competitors such as Netscape.
Intel releases two new versions of its popular Pentium II chip. The Pentium II Celeron offers slower performance than the standard PII, but is aimed at the $1,000-and-less PC market, which quickly embraces this chip. At the high end, the Pentium II Xeon is designed for use in high-performance workstations and server systems, and it is priced accordingly. Both chips boost Intel's market share, reaching deeper into more vertical markets.
Apple
Computer releases the colorful iMac, an all-in-one system
geared to a youthful market. The small, lightweight system
features the new G3 processor, which outperforms Pentium II-based
PCs in many respects. The iMac uses only USB connections,
forcing many users to purchase adapters for system peripherals,
and the computer does not include a floppy disk drive.
1999
Intel
unveils the Pentium III processor, which features 9.5 million
transistors. Although the Pentium III's performance is not
vastly superior to the Pentium II, it features enhancements
that take greater advantage of graphically rich applications
and Web sites. A more powerful version of the chip (named
Xeon) is also released, for use in higher-end workstations
and network server systems.
With its Athlon microprocessor, Advanced Micro Devices finally releases a Pentium-class chip that outperforms the Pentium III processor. The advance is seen as a boon for the lower-price computer market, which relies heavily on chips from Intel's competitors.
Apple Computer introduces updated
versions of its popular iMac computer, including a laptop
version, as well as the new G4 system, with performance rated
at 1 gigaflop, meaning the system can perform more than one
billion floating point operations per second.
The world braces for January 1, 2000, as fears of the "Millennium Bug" come to a head. As airlines, government agencies, financial institutions, utilities, and PC owners scramble to make their systems "Y2K-compliant," some people panic, afraid that basic services will cease operation when the year changes from 1999 to 2000.
2000
Shortly
after the New Year, computer experts and government officials
around the world announce that no major damage resulted from
the "millennium date change," when computer clocks rolled
over from 1999 to 2000. Immediately, a global debate begins
to rage: had the entire "Y2K bug" been a hoax created by the
computer industry, as a way to reap huge profits from people's
fears? Industry leaders defend their approach to the Y2K issue,
stating that years of planning and preventive measures had
helped the world avoid a global computer-driven catastrophe
that could have brought the planet's economy to a stand-still.
Microsoft introduces Windows 2000 on Feb. 17. It is the biggest commercial software project ever attempted and one of the largest engineering projects of the century, involving 5345 full-time participants, over half of them engineers. The final product includes almost 30 million lines of code.
On March 6, Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) announces the shipment of a 1GHz version of the Athlon processor, which will be used in PCs manufactured by Compaq and Gateway. It is the first 1GHz processor to be commercially available to the consumer PC market. Within days, Intel Corp. announces the release of a 1GHz version of the Pentium III processor.
In April, U.S. District Judge Thomas Penfield Jackson rules that Microsoft is guilty of taking advantage of its monopoly in operating systems to hurt competitors and leverage better deals with its business partners. Soon after the finding, the Department of Justice recommends that the judge break Microsoft into two separate companies: one focused solely on operating systems, the other focused solely on application development. Microsoft quickly counters by offering to change a number of its business practices. The judge rules to divide the software giant into two companies. As of this writing, Microsoft is appealing the ruling.