Computer history - 1960
Major computer events in 1960
The first ICs (integrated circuits) began being sold for $120 in 1960 and were chosen for use on the Gemini spacecraft.
IBM introduced the Stretch computing system, the most powerful computer of its day, which pioneered such advanced systems concepts as lookahead, pipelining, the transistor, and the byte. The company also introduced the solid-state 7000 series computers, replacing the 700 series of vacuum tube machines.
New computer products and services introduced in 1960
Physicist Theodore Maiman created the first laser on May 16, 1960.
AT&T introduced the dataphone and the first known modem in 1960.
RS-232 was introduced by EIA (Electronic Industries Alliance) in 1960.
ALGOL60 was released in 1960.
Digital introduced the PDP-1, the first minicomputer, in 1960.
Computer and technology-related events in 1960
2,000 computers were in use in the United States.
IBM developed the first automatic mass-production facility for transistors in New York.
IBM 1400 series machines, aimed at the business market, began to be distributed.
Psychologist Frank Rosenblatt created the Mark I Perception, which had an "eye" that allowed it to learn and identify its ABCs.
NASA launched TIROS, the first weather satellite into space, on April 1, 1960.
Bob Bemer introduced the backslash.
Hewlett-Packard stock was accepted by the New York Stock Exchange for national and international trading.
The IBM 305 RAMAC (random-access method of accounting and control) scored the Winter Olympic Games in California, marking the beginning of four decades of IBM technical support for the Olympic Games. The RAMAC also tallies votes at the U.S. political conventions and processes presidential election returns.
General Motors put the first industrial robot to work in a New Jersey factory in 1960. The robot was a 4,000-pound Unimate.
P.Z. Ingerman developed a thunk.
Computer companies and organizations founded in 1960
IFIP (International Federation for Information Processing) was founded in 1960.
Maxell was founded in 1960.
Computer pioneers born in 1960
Will Wright was born on January 20, 1960.
Brad Templeton was born on April 20, 1960.
Jaron Lanier was born on May 3, 1960.
Mochio Umeda was born on August 30, 1960.
Reed Hastings was born on October 8, 1960.
Randy Pausch was born on October 23, 1960.
Tim Cook was born on November 1, 1960.
Anders Hejlsberg was born in December 1960.
Computer pioneer deaths in 1960
Samuel Caldwell passed away on October 12, 1960 (Age: 56).
Harry Goode passed away on October 30, 1960 (Age: 51).