Computer history - 1957
Major computer events in 1957
IBM announces it will no longer be using vacuum tubes and releases its first computer that had 2000 transistors.
IBM markets the first dot matrix printer.
The first optical scanner is created by engineer Russell Kirsch at the United States National Bureau of Standards. Pictured at right is Kirsch in 2007, holding a printout of the 176 x 176-pixel image of his infant son, sixty years later.
Russia launched the first artificial satellite, named Sputnik, on October 4, 1957. The satellite is the first space satellite and sends a signal from space that could be heard on Earth.
Other computer events in 1957
In March 1957, Max Palevsky went to work at Packard Bell. Palevsky later convinced the company that they should enter the computer business and helped develop the first silicon computer, which became the Packard Bell PB250.
Casio developed the first electronic calculator in 1957.
The Russian satellite Sputnik runs out of batteries on October 26, 1957, and stops transmitting its steady beep.
In response to Sputnik, the United States creates the new agency ARPA.
New computer products and services introduced in 1957
IBM announces the IBM 709 computer.
IBM made FORTRAN (formula translation) scientific programming language available to customers in 1957. FORTRAN becomes the most widely used computer language for technical work.
Computer companies founded in 1957
Casio was established in 1957.
Digital Equipment Corporation was founded by Kenneth Olsen in 1957. The company will later become a major network computer manufacturer.
Fairchild Semiconductor was founded by Andy Grove, Eugene Kleiner, Gordon Moore, Jerry Sanders, Robert Noyce in 1957.
Computer pioneers born in 1957
Mark Hurd was born on January 1, 1957.
Mark Dean was born on March 2, 1957.
Steve Meretzky was born on May 1, 1957.
Jeff Hawkins was born on June 1, 1957.
Bruce Eckel was born on July 8, 1957.
Virginia Rometty was born on July 29, 1957.
Nathaniel Borenstein was born on September 23, 1957.
Eric Raymond was born on December 4, 1957.
David Warthen was born on December 10, 1957.
Barry Leiba was born in 1957.
Carl Sassenrath was born in 1957.
Fred Cohen was born in 1957.
Garrett Gruener was born in 1957.
Jakob Nielsen was born in 1957.
Steve Garfield was born in 1957.
Stuart Moulthrop was born in 1957.
Computer pioneer deaths in 1957
John von Neumann passed away on February 8, 1957 (Age: 53).