Geek Facts

In 1987 
CompuServe released the Graphics Interchange Format (GIF) standard as a new format to save and retrieve computer-based images. The GIF format supports up to 8 bits per pixel, allowing a single image to reference a palette of up to 256 distinct colors. The […]

In 1988, 
Microsoft released two versions of Windows 2.1. Two versions were released to specifically takes advantage of advanced features of the Intel 80286 and Intel 80386 processors. Learn more at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_2.1x

[important]Do to an error in the B.I.T.E. Back Against Malware email you may have landed here. The correct link is – B.I.T.E. Back Against Malware. Sorry for any inconvenience ~ Dave[/important] In 1969, the Apollo 10 astronauts returned to Earth. The Apollo 10 mission encompassed

In 2008, NASA’s Phoenix spacecraft landed in the polar region on Mars. Data from NASA’s Phoenix Mars Lander suggest liquid water has interacted with the Martian surface throughout the planet’s history and into modern times. Learn more at http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/phoenix/mission/objectives.html

In 1915, Thomas Edison invented the telescribe to record telephone conversations. The telescribe was a device that made recordings on wax cylinders. It was based on Edison’s idea to use the phonograph as a telephone recorder. Learn more about the history of the telephone answering

In 1995, the first version of the Java programming language was released. Java is one of the most popular programming languages in use with a reported 10 million users. Learn more at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Java_(programming_language)

In 1990, Microsoft released Windows 3.0. Windows 3.0, a graphical environment, was the third major release of Microsoft Windows. It became the first widely successful version of Windows. Learn more at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_3.0.

In 1970, Elographics filed for a patent for the electronic sensor of plane coordinates on a screen. In 1977, Siemens Corporation financed an effort by Elographics to produce the first curved glass touch sensor interface, which became the first device to have the name “touch

In 1830 – D. Hyde of Reading, Pennsylvania patented the fountain pen. In 1884, Lewis Waterman patented what most consider to be the first practical fountain pen. Learn more at http://inventors.about.com/library/weekly/aa100897.htm

In 1980, the Apple III was announced at the National Computer Conference. The Apple III ran twice as fast as the Apple II and had 128K of RAM, twice as much as the Apple II. It was also the first Apple computer to have a

In 1953, Jacqueline Cochrane became the first woman to break the sound barrier. Jacqueline Cochrane had several other aviation “firsts” — the first woman to take off from an aircraft carrier, the first woman to reach Mach 2, the first pilot to make a blind

1993, Intel’s Pentium processor was announced. “Pentium” comes from the Greek root word “pentas” meaning “five.” The Pentium was the Intel 80586 chip. The Pentium chip was estimated to be two times faster than the 486DX2 (66MHz) chip. Learn more at http://www.computermuseum.li/Testpage/Chip-Pentium-1993.htm

In 1718, Italian mathematician Maria Gaetana Agnesi was born. Maria Agnesi is known for the ‘Witch of Agnesi’. It was supposed to be called the ‘Curve of Agnesi’ but something was lost in the translation. Learn more at http://math.about.com/library/blbioagnesi.htm

In 1963, Faith 7, the last Mercury mission, was launched. Astronaut L. Gordon Cooper successfully completed the mission. He orbited Earth 22-1/2 times and was weightless for over 34 hours. Learn more at http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/mercury/missions/faith7.html