1972 - 1981

1972

• Intel introduces its 200-KHz 8008 chip, the first 8-bit microprocessor.
• Atari is founded and ships Pong, the first commercial video game.
• Canada's Automatic Electronic Systems introduces the world's first programmable word processor.
• Bill Gates and Paul Allen form the Traf-O-Data company.
• 5.25 inch diskettes first appear.

1973

• The first prototype Alto workstation computer is turned on at Xerox's Palo Alto Research Center.
• Design work is completed on the Micral, the first non-kit computer based on a microprocessor.
• The term "microcomputer" first appears in print, in reference to the Micral.
• Gary Kildall writes a simple operating system in his PL/M language, called CP/M.
• IBM introduces the IBM 3340 hard disk unit, known as the Winchester.
• Scelbi Computer Consulting Company offers the first computer kit in the U.S. using a microprocessor.
• Bob Metcalfe invents the Ethernet connectivity system.
  

1974

• Intel releases its 2-MHz 8080 chip, an 8-bit microprocessor.
• Bravo, the first WYSIWIG program, is developed for the Xerox Alto computer.
• Lauren Solomon, 12 year old daughter of Les Solomon, suggests the name "Altair" for the microcomputer.
• Railway Express loses Ed Robert's only prototype Altair computer.
• Popular Electronics publishes an article by MITS announcing the Altair 8800 computer.
• Motorola introduces its 6800 chip, an 8-bit microprocessor.
• Brian Kernighan and Dennis Ritchie develop the C programming language.
• RCA releases the 1802 processor, running at a speedy 6.4 MHz.

1975

• Bill Gates and Paul Allen license their newly written BASIC to MITS.
• Gates and Allen's Traf-O-Data company is renamed Micro-Soft.
• Heiser opens the first retail computer store in the USA called "The Computer Store".
• IBM's Entry Level Systems unit unveils "Project Mercury", the IBM 5100 Portable Computer.
• The first issue of Byte magazine is published.
• Zilog is founded.

1976

• Intel introduces the 5-MHz 8085 microprocessor.
• Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak form the Apple Computer Company, on April Fool's Day.
• Wang Laboratories announces a word-processing system using advanced computer technology.
• The Apple I computer board is sold in kit form, and delivered to stores by Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak.
• Zilog releases the 2.5-MHz Z80.
• The tradename "Microsoft" is registered.
• Advanced Micro Devices and Intel sign a patent cross-license agreement, giving AMD the right to copy Intel's microcode.
• U.S. Robotics is founded.

1977

• Apple Computer moves from Jobs' garage to an office in Cupertino.
• Microsoft ships "Microsoft FORTRAN" for CP/M-based computers.
• Radio Shack (a division of Tandy Corp.) announces the TRS-80 microcomputer.
• Apple Computer releases Applesoft, a version of BASIC with floating-point capabilities.

1978

• Intel introduces the 4.77-MHz 8086 microprocessor.
• Atari announces the Atari 400 and 800 personal computers.
• Dennis Hayes begins Hayes Microcomputer Products.
• Microsoft begins developing BASIC for the Intel 8086 processor.
• Taito develops and releases the Space Invaders arcade game in Japan and arcade centers.
• Magnavox releases the Odyssey2 cartridge-based console game system.

1979

• Apple Computer releases DOS 3.2.
• Zilog ships samples of the 16-bit Z8000 processor.
• Software Arts demonstrates VisiCalc at the 4th West Coast Computer Faire.
• Intel introduces the 4.77-MHz 8088 microprocessor.
• Bob Metcalfe founds 3Com Corporation.
• CompuServe begins a service to computer hobbyists called MicroNET, offering bulletin boards, databases, and games.
• Clive Sinclair creates Sinclair Research.
• Motorola's 68000 16-bit microprocessor appears.
• Personal Software releases VisiCalc for the Apple II.
• Atari develops the Asteroids computer game.
• Alan Shugart founds Seagate Technologies, a maker of hard disk drives.
• Atari founder Nolan Bushnell leaves the company, to manage Pizza Time Theatre.
• IBM introduces the IBM 3800 laser printer.
• Hayes Microcomputer Products introduces the 110/300 baud Micromodem II for the Apple II, for US$380.

1980

• Morrow Designs advertises the 26 MB DISCUS M26 hard drive system for US$5000
• Microsoft begins development on an 8086 version of AT&T's Unix operating system.
• Sinclair Research announces the ZX80 computer in the North American market.
• Microsoft Corp. announces its first hardware product, the Z-80 SoftCard for the Apple II.
• Satellite Software International ships WordPerfect 1.0 for Data General minicomputers.
• Seattle Computer Products decides to make their own disk operating system (DOS).
• Apple Computer introduces the Apple III at the National Computer Conference.
• Universal Data Systems announces the 202LP 1200 bps modem.
• Seagate Technologies announces the first Winchester 5.25-inch hard disk drive.
• Steve Ballmer joins Microsoft.
• Radio Shack introduces the TRS-80 Pocket Computer.
• IBM representatives meet with Microsoft's Bill Gates and Steve Ballmer to talk about Microsoft products.
• IBM meets with Microsoft again, and shows plans for Project Chess, a personal computer.
• QDOS 0.10 (Quick and Dirty Operating System) is shipped by Seattle Computer Products.
• Microsoft announces the Microsoft XENIX OS, a portable and commercial version of Unix.
• Microsoft's Paul Allen contacts Seattle Computer Products, asking for the rights to sell SCP's DOS.
• Apple Computer becomes a publicly held company.
• Seattle Computer Products renames QDOS to 86-DOS, releasing it as version 0.3.
• Philips and Sony create the CD-Audio standard for optical disk storage of digital audio.
• Intel announces the iAPX-432 32-bit microprocessor.
• Intel introduces the 8087 math coprocessor.
• CompuServe merges with H&R Block, and renames MicroNET to CompuServe Information Service.
• Sony Electronics introduces the 3.5 inch floppy disk and drive.
• Panasonic and Quasar unveil hand-held computers, made by Matsushita.

1981

• Commodore announces the VIC-20.
• The director of Canada' Radiation Protection Bureau declares that video display terminals carry no radiation hazard.
• Microsoft reorganizes into Microsoft Incorporated.
• Microsoft buys all rights to DOS from Seattle Computer Products, and the name MS-DOS is adopted.
• IBM introduces its first desktop computer, the Datamaster.
• The first IBM PCs roll off the assembly lines.
• IBM announces the IBM 5150 PC personal computer, in New York.
• Apple Computer introduces its first hard drive, the 5MB ProFile, for US$3500.
• Novell Data Systems ships the Novell Data Management Computer, with the ability to share its hard drive space with other computers.
• Hayes Microcomputer Products advertises the Smartmodem 300, which becomes the industry standard.
• College professor James Clark found Silicon Graphics.
• Intel and Advanced Micro Devices agree to collaborate on the design and production of new products.

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