2. FIRST HARD DISK DRIVE
(1980)
Seagate technology created the first hard disk drive for
microcomputers, the ST506 . The disk held 5 megabytes of
data, five times as much as a standard floppy disk, and fit in the
space of a floppy disk drive.
The hard disk drive itself is a rigid metallic platter coated on
both sides with a thin layer of magnetic material that stores
digital data.
Seagate quickly drew such big-name customers as Apple
Computer and IBM. With in a few years had sold 4 million units.
3. MS-DOS
(1981)
The MS-DOS ( Microsoft Disk Operating System) basic
software for the newly released IBM PC, established a long
partnership between IBM and Microsoft, which Bill Gates and
Paul Allen had founded only six years earlier.
4. Commodore 64
(1982)
Commodore introduces the Commodore 64.
The C64, as it was better known, sold for $595 came with 64kb
of RAM and featured impressive graphics. Thousands of
software titles were released over the lifespan of the C64.
6. Apple Macintosh
(1984)
Apple Computer launched the Macintosh, the first successful
mouse-driven computer with a graphical user interface with a
single $1.5 million commercial during the 1984 Super Bowl.
Based on the Motorola 68000 microprocessor, the Macintosh
included many features at an affordable price of $2,500.
8. Pixar
(1986)
Pixar is founded Pixar was originally called the Special Effects
Computer Group at Lucasfilm (launched in 1979).
In 1986, Apple Computer co-founder Steve Jobs paid 10 million
dollars to Lucasfilm to purchase the Group and renamed it
Pixar. Over the next decade, Pixar made highly successful (and
Oscar-winning) animated films. It was bought by Disney in
2006.
10. First Computer
Virus
(1988)
Robert Morris worm flooded the ARPANET.
23-year old Morris, the son of a computer security expert for
the National Security Agency, sent a nondestructive worm
through internet causing problem for about 6,000 of the 60,000
hosts linked to the network.
Morris was sentenced to three years of probation, 400 hours of
community service, and a fine of $10,050.
11. First Simulator
Game
(1989)
Maxis released SimCity, a video game that helped launch of
series of simulators.
Maxis co-founder Will Wright built on his childhood interest in
plastic models of ships and airplanes, eventually starting up a
company with Jeff Braun and designing a computer program
that allowed the user to create his own city.
A number of other Sims followed in the series, including
SimEarth, simAnt and SimLife.
