1950 A.D. to 1959 A.D

1950

The floppy disk was invented by Dr. Yoshiro Nakamats of Tokyo.

 

1950

The first real-time computer, 'whirlwind' was built in the USA. Meanwhile, the slide rule was was widely used by engineers, some of who actually carried 5" slide rules in their pockets! (1)

 

1951

The first computer to be able to handle text as well as data was invented, UNIVAC-1. This invention marked the start of the computer era and the commercial success of the machines.

 

1956

Edsger Dijkstra invents an algorithm for the shortest paths in graphs, used by the ARMAC computer.

 

1958

Jack St. Clair of Texas Instruments invents the integrated circuit.

 

1959 The appearance of second generation computers, which are based on transistors and printed circuits. These computers used FORTRAN (for science) and COBOL (for business).