Computer history - 1992
Major computer events in 1992
Microsoft introduced Windows 3.1. It sold over one million copies in the first two months of its release on April 6, 1992.
The phrase "surfing the Internet" was coined in February 1992 by computer scientist Mark McCahill.
The IBM Personal Computer Company was formed as a separate operating unit of IBM to focus exclusively on delivering leadership PC (personal computer) products. Within weeks of its formation, the new unit introduced more than 80 new products.
1992 computer and technology top terms
The following are some top computer and technology-related terms in alphabetical order that were introduced or popularized in 1992.
New computer products and services introduced in 1992
Id software released Wolfenstein 3D, the first popular game with ray casting, was released on May 5, 1992.
Majordomo was software released in June 1992.
Visual Basic for MS-DOS was released in September 1992.
Jean-Loup Gaily and Mark Alder released gzip on October 31, 1992.
Adobe Photoshop 2.5 was released for the Macintosh and for the first time Windows in November 1992.
Sony introduced the MiniDisc storage format, device, and reader in 1992.
Microsoft released Visual Basic 2.0 in November 1992.
Microsoft released Excel 4.0 for PC and Mac in 1992.
Microsoft released Word 5.1 for Mac in 1992.
Radio Shack released the M2500 XL/2 and M4020 SX personal computers, the first personal computers based on the MPC (Multimedia Personal Computer) specification.
IBM introduced the ThinkPad in 1992. It featured a distinctive black case, innovative TrackPoint pointing device, and a 10.4-inch color TFT (thin-film transistor) display.
Intel released iCOMP in 1992.
Intel released the 486DX2 chip on March 2, 1992, with a clock doubling ability that generates higher operating speeds.
Microsoft introduced MSDN (Microsoft Developer Network) in 1992.
OpenGL was developed in 1992.
In 1992, a new 32-bit version of OS/2 was released.
The DCC (digital compact cassette) was introduced in 1992.
PCI (peripheral component interconnect) was introduced by Intel in 1992.
Seagate was the first company to introduce a 7200 RPM (revolutions per minute) hard drive in 1992.
TextPad was released in 1992.
KiCad was released by Jean-Pierre Charras in 1992.
The first unofficial smartphone was developed by IBM in 1992.
VESA local bus was introduced in 1992.
The popular Gopher tool Veronica was released in 1992.
WMF (Windows metafile format) was originally released in 1992 as a 16-bit file for Windows 3.0.
Computer and technology-related events in 1992
John Scully first used the term PDA (personal digital assistant) at CES (Consumer Electronics Show) while describing the Apple Newton on January 7, 1992.
The Michelangelo computer virus began infecting computers on March 6, 1992.
Neil Papworth used his personal computer to send the first SMS (short message service) text message to the phone of Richard Jarvis on December 3, 1992.
NSFNET (National Science Foundation Network) upgraded to a T3 backbone.
Internet Society was formed in 1992.
MAE-East was created in 1992.
The reusable alkaline battery was used for commercial use in 1992.
EPP (enhanced parallel port) version 1.7 was released in 1992.
Kingwin was founded in 1992.
Microsoft released Video for Windows in 1992.
TWAIN, a standard interface for scanning equipment, was developed by the TWAIN consortium, consisting of representatives from Aldus, Caere, Eastman, Kodak, Hewlett-Packard, and Logitech.
Microsoft and Hewlett-Packard developed ECP (extended capabilities port) in 1992.
The ODBC (Open Database Connectivity) was developed by SQL (Structured Query Language) Access Group.
Linux was released under the GNU (GNU's Not Unix) General Public License in 1992.
The first known companion virus, called the Globe, was first detected in 1992.
Computer companies and organizations founded in 1992
Aaeon was founded in 1992.
IBM's storage products business was named ADSTAR in 1992.
Cooler Master was founded in 1992.
Coolmax was founded in 1992.
NetApp was founded in 1992.
DMTF (Distributed Management Task Force) organization was founded in 1992.
Dr. Web was founded in 1992.
Elgato was founded in 1992 by Markus Fest.
ESET was founded in 1992.
EVERCOOL was founded in 1992.
GECAD was founded in 1992.
GFI Software was founded in 1992.
Hauppauge was founded in 1992.
Hexagon AB was founded in 1992.
I/O Magic was founded in 1992.
Interactive Media was founded in 1992.
LaCie was founded in 1992.
Macromedia was founded in 1992.
Mediatrix Telecom was founded in 1992.
MIME (multipurpose Internet mail extensions) standard was defined in 1992.
Jeff Hawkins helped found the company Palm in 1992. Palm also released the Palm Pilot in the same year.
QLogic was founded in 1992.
SUSE was founded in 1992.
Thrustmaster was founded in 1992.
Visioneer was founded in 1992.
Computer company events in 1992
AdLib filed for bankruptcy on May 1, 1992.
Microsoft acquired Fox Software in June, maker of FoxPro.
Computer-related TV shows and movies released in 1992
The Lawnmower Man was released on March 6, 1992.
Computer pioneer deaths in 1992
Grace Hopper passed away on January 1, 1992 (Age: 85).
Isaac Asimov passed away on April 6, 1992 (Age: 72).
Allen Newell passed away on July 19, 1992 (Age: 65).
Paul Eisler passed away on October 26, 1992 (Age: 85).
John Kemeny passed away on December 26, 1992 (Age: 66).