Computer history - 1966
Major computer events in 1966
US President Lyndon Johnson signed the Freedom of Information Act into law on July 4, 1966.
Joseph Weizenbaum of MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) wrote a program called ELIZA that made the computer act as a psychotherapist in 1966. It became one of the first programs to introduce AI (artificial intelligence) to the general public.
IBM researcher Robert H. Dennard invented DRAM (dynamic random-access memory) cells, one-transistor memory cells that store every bit of information as an electrical charge in an electronic circuit. The technology permitted major increases in memory density and was widely adopted throughout the industry, where it remains in widespread use today.
New computer products and services introduced in 1966
The programming language BCPL (Basic Combined Programming Language) was created in 1966.
Honeywell released the Honeywell 416 and Honeywell 516 minicomputers in 1966.
Starting in 1966, the Turing Award (from Alan Turing) was given annually by the ACM (Association for Computing Machinery) to a person for technical contributions to the computing community.
IBM announced the "Electric" Composer and Magnetic Tape "Electric" Composer for cold-type composition.
IBM released the model 1287 optical reader.
IBM released the 9370 document reproducer.
IBM introduced the IBM 1500, the first system designed for computer-assisted instruction.
IBM released IMPACT, a set of computer programs for inventory control of retail operations.
IBM introduced System/4 Pi, a special family of aircraft and space computers.
Computer and technology-related events in 1966
Hewlett-Packard released its first general computer, the "HP-2115" in 1966.
Lawrence G. Roberts and Tom Marill published a paper about their earlier success at connecting over dial-up.
Stephen Gray established the first personal computer club, the Amateur Computer Society.
Robert Taylor joined ARPA (Advanced Research Projects Agency) and brought Larry Roberts to develop ARPANET (Advanced Research Projects Agency Network).
The MUMPS, also known as M, a programming language, was developed by Neil Pappalardo at the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston.
IBM computers process some 19 million Medicare identification cards for the Social Security Administration.
Computer companies and organizations founded in 1966
The company we now know as Best Buy was founded in 1966.
Computer-related TV shows and movies released in 1966
The original Star Trek was shown for the first time on United States NBC on September 8, 1966.
Computer pioneers born in 1966
Gary McKinnon was born on February 10, 1966.
Mark Pincus was born on February 13, 1966.
David Filo was born on April 20, 1966.
Jimmy Wales was born on August 7, 1966.
Patrick Volkerding was born on October 20, 1966.
Paul Thurrott was born on October 29, 1966.
Chris DeWolfe was born in 1966.
Mike Culbert was born in 1966.
Computer pioneer deaths in 1966
Albert Hull passed away on January 22, 1966 (Age: 85).
William Eccles passed away on April 29, 1966 (Age: 91).
Louis Couffignal passed away in 1966 (Age: 64).