Computer history - 1948
Major computer events in 1948
The world's first stored-program computer, the SSEM (Small Scale Experimental Machine), nicknamed the "Manchester Baby," was built by Tom Kilburn at the University of Manchester, England. Kilburn's first stored program, which calculated the largest factor of an integer by repeated subtraction, was successfully executed by the SSEM on June 21, 1948.
In 1948, Andrew Donald Booth created magnetic drum memory, which was two inches long and two inches wide and capable of holding 10 bits per inch.
New computer products and services introduced in 1948
IBM builds the SSEC (Selective Sequence Electronic Calculator). The computer contains 12,000 tubes.
Computer and technology-related events in 1948
John Bardeen, Walter Brattain, and William Shockley patented the first transistor in 1948.
The 604 multiplying punch, based upon the vacuum tube technology, was produced by IBM in 1948.
The television began to divert radio audiences in 1948.
IBM's first large-scale digital calculating machine, the SSEC (Selective Sequence Electronic Calculator), was announced. The SSEC was the first computer to modify a stored program featuring 12,000 vacuum tubes and 21,000 electromechanical relays.
IBM introduced the IBM 604 Electronic Calculating Punch. The mass-produced 604 features the industry's first assemblage of digital electronics replaceable as a unit. Service engineers can pull out a defective unit of the 604 and plug in a replacement, reducing downtime.
Computer companies and organizations founded in 1948
ALPS was established on November 1, 1948.
Nakamichi was founded in 1948.
Computer pioneers born in 1948
Al Alcorn was born on January 1, 1948.
Raymond Kurzweil was born on February 12, 1948.
William Gibson was born on March 17, 1948.
Scott Fahlman was born on March 21, 1948.
Al Gore was born on March 31, 1948.
Lawrence Rowe was born on April 11, 1948.
Robert Tarjan was born on April 30, 1948.
Brian Eno was born on May 15, 1948.
Carol Bartz was born on August 29, 1948.
Mikhail Donskoy was born on September 9, 1948.
Charles Simonyi was born on September 10, 1948.
Gaston Gonnet was born on September 22, 1948.
Leonid Levin was born on November 2, 1948.
Paul Mockapetris was born on November 18, 1948.
Dale Heatherington was born in 1948.
John Sall was born in 1948.