Computer history - 1956
Major computer events in 1956
On September 13, 1956, the IBM 305 RAMAC was the first computer to be shipped with a hard drive. The hard drive contained 50 24-inch platters and was capable of storing 5 million characters and weighed a ton.
Other computer events in 1956
John von Neumann was presented with the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Dwight Eisenhower on February 15, 1956.
Werner Buchholz coined the term byte in 1956.
The TX-O (Transistorized Experimental computer) and the first transistorized computer was demonstrated at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
John Bardeen, Walter Brattain, and William Shockley were awarded the Nobel Prize in physics for their work on the transistor in 1956.
Joseph Weizenbaum worked for General Electric on ERMA, a computer system which introduced the use of magnetically-encoded fonts imprinted on the bottom border of checks. This invention allowed for automated check processing via MICR (Magnetic Ink Character Recognition).
Arthur L. Samuel at IBM programs an IBM 704 to play checkers using a method where the machine can "learn" from its own experience. It is believed that Samual checkers-playing program is the first "self-learning" program, a demonstration of the concept of artificial intelligence, using one of the first software hash tables.
The term parasocial relationship is coined by sociologists Donald Horton and Richard Wohl in their 1956 article "Mass Communication and Para-Social Interaction."
New computer products and services introduced in 1956
The programming language FORTRAN was introduced to the public on October 15, 1956.
Dr. Robert Adler of Zenith invented the first cordless TV remote control in 1956.
IBM announces an electronic "reading" device for electric typewriters and an electronic input-output device to automatically type work done by computers.
Wen Tsing Chow develops PROM.
Computer companies founded in 1956
Calcomp was founded in 1956.
Polyflon was founded in 1956.
Discontinued products and services in 1956
The ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer) ended its operation in 1956.
Computer pioneers born in 1956
Guido van Rossum was born on January 31, 1956.
Mark McCahill was born on February 7, 1956.
Alexey Leonidovich Pajitnov was born on March 14, 1956.
Steve Ballmer was born on March 24, 1956.
Kane Kramer was born on April 23, 1956.
Jim Ellis was born on May 6, 1956.
Tim Paterson was born on June 1, 1956.
Drew Major was born on June 17, 1956.
Mark Crispin was born on July 19, 1956.
Meg Whitman was born on August 4, 1956.
Leo Laporte was born on November 29, 1956.
Steve Kirsch was born on December 24, 1956.
Brian Moriarty was born in 1956.
Dov Moran was born in 1956.
Robert Pike was born in 1956.
Computer pioneer deaths in 1956
Thomas J. Watson, Sr. passed away on June 19, 1956 (Age: 82).
