Computer history - 1957
Major computer events in 1957
IBM announced it would no longer use vacuum tubes and released its first computer with 2000 transistors.
IBM markets the first dot matrix printer.
The first optical scanner was created by engineer Russell Kirsch at the United States National Bureau of Standards. Pictured at right is Kirsch in 2007, holding a printout of the 176 x 176-pixel image of his infant son, sixty years later.
Russia launched the first artificial satellite, Sputnik, on October 4, 1957. The satellite was the first space satellite and sent a signal from space that could be heard on Earth.
New computer products and services introduced in 1957
IBM announced the IBM 709 computer.
IBM made FORTRAN (Formula Translation) scientific programming language available to customers in 1957. FORTRAN became the most widely used computer language for technical work.
The GPS (General Problem Solver) program designed to be a univeral problem solver was created in 1957 by Herbert Simon, John Cliff Shaw, and Allen Newell.
Computer and technology-related events in 1957
In March 1957, Max Palevsky went to work at Packard Bell. Palevsky later convinced the company to enter the computer business and helped develop the first silicon computer, the Packard Bell PB250.
Casio developed the first electronic calculator in 1957.
The Russian satellite Sputnik ran out of batteries on October 26, 1957, and stopped transmitting its steady beep.
In response to Sputnik, the United States created the new ARPA (Advanced Research Projects Agency) agency.
Computer companies and organizations founded in 1957
Casio was established in 1957.
Digital Equipment Corporation was founded by Kenneth Olsen in 1957. The company would later become a major network computer manufacturer.
Fairchild Semiconductor was founded by Andy Grove, Eugene Kleiner, Gordon Moore, Jerry Sanders, Robert Noyce in 1957.
Computer pioneers born in 1957
Mark Hurd was born on January 1, 1957.
Mark Dean was born on March 2, 1957.
Steve Meretzky was born on May 1, 1957.
Jeff Hawkins was born on June 1, 1957.
Bruce Eckel was born on July 8, 1957.
Virginia Rometty was born on July 29, 1957.
Nathaniel Borenstein was born on September 23, 1957.
Eric Raymond was born on December 4, 1957.
David Warthen was born on December 10, 1957.
Barry Leiba was born in 1957.
Carl Sassenrath was born in 1957.
Fred Cohen was born in 1957.
Garrett Gruener was born in 1957.
Jakob Nielsen was born in 1957.
Steve Garfield was born in 1957.
Stuart Moulthrop was born in 1957.
Computer pioneer deaths in 1957
John von Neumann passed away on February 8, 1957 (Age: 53).