Evolution
Of Computing
The Age of the Microprocessor: 1970s
Few developments have revolutionized the world as profoundly, or as rapidly, as the microprocessor. It is found everywhere, from phones to portable computers, from televisions to video players.
1970
The first RAM (Random Access Memory) chip is announced by Fairchild.
1971
Robert Noyce of Intel creates the microprocessor, an entire computer on a single chip. The floppy disk and microprocessor herald the possibility of personal computers. Ray Tomlinson sends the first network email message.
HP's scientific calculator, HP-35
1972
Intel releases the 200kHz 8008, an 8-bit version of the 4004 created a year earlier. It contains 3,500 transistors and is the first processor able to recognize all characters of the alphabet and numbers. This processor becomes instantly popular with manufacturers of small computers. The first computer to use the Intel 8008 CPU is the MITS 816. It does not have a display or keyboard. HP releases the first scientific calculator, the HP-35.
1973
Xerox PARC develops an experimental PC called Alto which has a mouse and a graphical user interface. Sharp develops LCD technology for calculators.
1974
Intel releases the 2MHz 8080 chip, which is 10 times faster than the 8008. Motorola launches the 6800 processor.
Altair 8800 (photo credit: National Museum of American History)
1975
MITS unveils the Altair 8800, popularly seen as the world’s very first consumer personal computer. The Altair is build around the Intel 8080 chip and contains a memory of 256 bytes. It costs US$395, but up to US$2,000 worth of peripherals are needed to make it go. Microsoft is founded and its BASIC program goes into the 8800. IBM launches the 5100, the predecessor to the 5150 IBM PC. It costs between US$9,000 and US$20,000!
1976
Gary Kildall creates the CP/M operating system. Zilog, a company of ex-Intel employees, releases its Z-80 on the market. Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak found Apple Computer.
The Apple II
1977
The Apple II is released, establishing a new benchmark for PCs. It is the first PC that looks like an appliance instead of a piece of electronic equipment, complete with integrated keyboard, color graphics, sound, a plastic case and eight expansion slots. Dennis Hayes invents the PC modem.
1978
Daniel Bricklin and Bob Frankston develop the first commercial spreadsheet program VisiCalc that is an instant hit with Apple II fans. The Ethernet standard is released by Xerox, DEC and Intel.
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