Computer history - 1962

Updated: 12/31/2022 by Computer Hope

Major computer events in 1962

Joseph Licklider

J.C.R. Licklider became the first Director of IPTO (Information Processing Technology Office) and gave his vision of a galactic network (the Internet).

Steve Russell created "SpaceWar!" and released it in February 1962. This game is considered the first game intended for computers.

New computer products and services introduced in 1962

AT&T placed the first commercial communications Satellite, the Telstar I, into orbit.

The NASA rocket, the Mariner II, is equipped with a Motorola transmitter on its trip to Venus.

IBM announced the IBM 1311 Disk Storage Drive, the first storage unit with interchangeable disk packs, each capable of holding 2 million characters. The concept of interchangeable disk packs lowered storage costs by making it possible to store information offline.

Computer and technology-related events in 1962

Leonard Kleinrock released his paper discussing packetization.

Paul Baran suggests the transmission of data using fixed-size message blocks.

IBM developed the SABRE (Semi-Automatic Business-Related Environment) reservation system for American Airlines, the industry's first to work over phone lines in "real-time." The system links high-speed computers and data communications to handle seat inventory and passenger records from terminals in over 50 cities.

Using the Telstar satellite, IBM sends computer information back and forth between Endicott, New York and La Gaude, France.

The last IBM 650 Magnetic Drum Calculator was manufactured. Nearly 2,000 IBM 650s were sold in 1953-1962, making the 650 the most popular computer of the 1950s.

IBM scientists succeeded in operating a semiconductor diode laser powered directly by an electric current rather than an external light source.

An experimental thin film memory that operates at a speed of 100 billionths of a second was demonstrated.

Computer companies and organizations founded in 1962

Chinon was founded on October 1, 1962.

Cox Communications was founded in 1962 by James Cox.

Ricoh was founded in 1962.

Sharp was founded in 1962.

Computer pioneers born in 1962

Philippe Kahn

Philippe Kahn was born on March 16, 1962.

Bernd Fix was born on March 19, 1962.

Dan Farmer was born on April 5, 1962.

Rosalind Picard was born on May 17, 1962.

Gabe Newell was born on November 3, 1962.

Phillip Katz was born on November 3, 1962.

Susan Decker was born on November 17, 1962.

Brian Fargo was born on December 15, 1962.

Amy Briggs was born in 1962.

Andy Rubin was born in 1962.

Steve Mann was born in 1962.

Steve McConnell was born in 1962.

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