Learn an interesting fact to share with friends and increase your Geek Cred!
In 1983, Microsoft released a word processor called Word for MS-DOS 1.00. Microsoft provided a free demonstration copy with every copy of PC World magazine. It’s the first time that a magazine included a floppy disk. Learn more about Microsoft’s history at http://www.brighthub.com/computing/windows-platform/articles/45030.aspx. In 2008, […]
Geek Facts for September 29th – The First Word and Snow on Mars Read More »
In 1925, Seymour Cray, “the Father of Supercomputing”, was born. Seymour Cray designed a series of computers that were the fastest in the world for decades. He also founded the company, Cray Research. Seymour Cray died on October 5, 1996. Learn more at http://www.computer.org/portal/web/awards/seymourbio.
In 1930, Alan Shugart, an important developer of disk drive technology, was born. The floppy disk drive was invented by IBM engineers led by Alan Shugart. In addition, in 1979, he cofounded Seagate Technology, the first company to make 5.25-inch hard disks. Alan Shugart died
In 1983, Cosmonauts Vladimir Titov and Gennady Strekalov were saved from an exploding Soyuz T-10 launch. Fuel spilled around the base of the rocket and caught fire at T-90 seconds. The control cables for the escape system had already burned and the Soyuz crew could
In 1956, TAT-1, the first submarine transatlantic telephone cable system, was inaugurated. Before TAT-1, voice was carried across the Atlantic on unreliable and expensive radio channels. TAT-1 operated until 1978. Learn more at http://www.ieeeghn.org/wiki/index.php/Milestones:The_First_Submarine_Transatlantic_Telephone_Cable_System_(TAT-1),_1956.
In 1970, the Soviet robotic space probe, Luna 16, made the first automated return of lunar samples. This was the first unmanned round-trip mission to the Moon. It represented the first lunar sample return mission by the Soviet Union and the third overall, following NASA’s
In 2008, Google and T-Mobile USA unveiled the T-Mobile G1, the first cellphone to feature the Android OS. The G1 featured version 1.6 (Donut) of the Android mobile operating system. It went on sale the next month, priced at $179 for a two-year contract. Learn
Geek Facts for September 23rd – Android Debut and the IBM WorkPad Read More »
In 1997, Compaq introduced the Compaq Deskpro 4000N, the first Net PC. Net PCs relied more on server computers than typical PCs. Up to hundreds of Net PCs were tethered to a single server. Learn more at http://news.cnet.com/Compaq-debuts-first-Net-PC/2100-1001_3-203456.html.
In 1972, Texas Instruments (TI) entered the electronic calculator market with the introduction of three models. TI-2500 Also known as the Datamath, it offered four-function, full-floating decimal point with an eight-digit LED display. Also rechargeable it was originally priced at $149.95 when announced in April
Geek Facts for September 21st – A Trio of TI Calculators Read More »
In 1954 , the first program written in the FORTRAN programming language was executed. FORTRAN, which is an acronym for “FORmula TRANslator,” was invented at IBM for technical and scientific applications by a team lead by John Backus. Learn more at http://objectmix.com/cobol/205902-ot-happy-birthday-fortran.html.
In 1982, the emoticon was born. Research Professor Scott E. Fahlman at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh proposed the use of an emoticon to express humor for the first time anywhere. Here is his original post to the Carnegie Mellon University Computer Science department’s general
In 1980, Cuban Arnaldo Tamayo-Mendez became the first person of color sent into space. Tamayo-Mendez, also the first Latin American in space, was an astronaut aboard Soyuz 38, which docked with Salyut-6 for eight days, starting on September 19th and returned to Earth on September
In 1976, NASA unveiled the first Space Shuttle, the Enterprise. The shuttle was originally called Constitution. A write-in campaign by “Star Trek” enthusiasts urged President Gerald Ford to go with Enterprise and, as a result, the name was changed. The Enterprise was a test vehicle
Geek Facts for September 17th – The Space Shuttle and a Couple of Handheld Computers Read More »
In 2011, NASA scientists announced the discovery of a circumbinary planet, a planet the orbits two stars. Known as Kepler-16b, it is located 200 light-years from Earth. Previous research had hinted at the existence of circumbinary planets. Learn more at http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2011/15sep_doublesuns/.
