1799
Oct
|
Birth of Hisashige Tanaka, founder of precursor to Toshiba [16-Oct]
|
1838
Apr
|
Birth of Frank S. Baldwin, prolific and revolutionary calculating machine designer [10-Apr]
|
1845
Aug
|
Birth of Willgodt T. Odhner, inventor of the pinwheel calculating mechanism [10-Aug]
|
1851
|
Isaac Merritt Singer forms I.M. Singer & Company, manufacturing sewing machines
|
1857
Jan
|
Birth of William S. Burroughs I, founder of American Arithmometer Co. (Precursor of Burroughs Corp.) [28-Jan]
|
1865
|
I.M. Singer & Co. changes name to Singer Manufacturing Co.
|
1872
Apr
|
Passing of Frank S. Baldwin, mechanical calculating machine designer [8-Apr]
|
1873
1875
|
Hisashige Tanaka opens telegraph equipment manufacturing factory (precursor to Toshiba)
|
1878
|
Bell Punch Co., Ltd. Incorporated
|
Aug
|
Birth of Heinrich Diehl, co-founder of Diehl Corp. [3-Aug]
|
1880
Aug
|
Birth of Margarete Schmidt(Diehl), co-founder of Diehl Corp. [25-Aug]
|
1881
|
Kintarō Hattori opens clock & jewelry shop in Tokyo, Japan (precursor to Seiko)
|
Nov
|
Founder of precursor to Toshiba, Hisashige Tanaka, passes away [7-Nov]
|
1882
|
Daikichi Tanaka, apprentice of Hisashige Tanaka, starts Tanaka Engineering Works (Toshiba precursor)
|
1884
|
National Cash Register Co. (NCR) founded by John H. Patterson
|
1886
Jan
|
American Arithmometer Co. (precusor to Burroughs) founded in St. Louis, Missouri
|
|
Carl Walther Company founded, producing firearms
|
1887
|
Dorr E. Felt and Robert Tarrant form partnership manufacturing "Comptometer" calculating machines as
Felt & Tarrant
|
1888
Mar
|
Birth of Willard Rockwell, founder of what became Rockwell International [31-Mar]
|
1890
|
Ichisuke Fujioka & Shoichi Miyoshi form Hakunetsusha & Co., Ltd. (later Tokyo Electic Company)
|
1891
Apr
|
Carl Friden born in Alvesta, Sweden, founder of what became Friden Calculatin Machine Co. [11-Apr]
|
May
|
Gerard Philips founds Philips & Co. in Eindhoven, Holland,
making light bulbs (precursor to Philips Electronics, N.V.) [15-May]
|
May
|
Japan's Ministry of Communications establishes Electrotechnical Laboratory (ETL) [24-May]
|
1892
|
The Spencer Co. (later Philco) founded producing carbon arc lamps
|
1893
Nov
|
Birth of Tokuji Hayakawa, founder of what became Hayakawa Electric (Sharp Corporation) [3-Nov]
|
1896
|
Winklhofer & Jaenicke (later, Wanderer-Werke AG) founded in Chemnitz, Germany manufacturing motorcycles
|
|
Herman Hollerith founds Tabulating Machine Co. (precursor to IBM)
|
1898
Aug
|
Nippon Electric Co., Ltd. established by Kunihiko Iwadare and Takeshiro Maeda (Precursor to NEC)
|
Sep
|
William S. Burroughs I, founder of Burroughs Corp., passes away [14-Sep]
|
1899
Jul
|
Nippon Electric Co., Ltd. Incorporated (Precursor to NEC) [17-Jul]
|
1900
Sep
|
Birth of Kazuma Tateisi, future founder of Omron Tateisi Electronics [20-Sep]
|
1902
Jan
|
Curt Herzstark,
inventor of the Curta calculator, Born in Vienna, Austria [26-Jan]
|
Sep
|
Heinrich & Margarete Diehl start business as a metal artwork foundary (Beginnings of Diehl Corp.)
|
Dec
|
Birth of Toshio Iue, founder of Sanyo Electric Co. Ltd. [28-Dec]
|
1903
|
Union Schreibmaschinen GmbH (Union Typewriter Co.) established in Berlin (Beginnings of Olympia International)
|
1904
|
American Arithmometer Co. moves from St. Louis to Detroit; changes name to Burroughs Adding Machine Co.
|
1905
Sep
|
Willgodt T. Odhner passes away, inventor of
Odhner Arithmometer [15-Sep]
|
|
Mercedes Büro-Maschinen Werke AG established in Thuringia, Germany
|
|
American Arithmometer Co. renamed to "Burroughs Adding Machine Co."
|
1907
May
|
Birth of Karl Diehl, son of Diehl Corp. founders [4-May]
|
1908
|
Universal Adding Machine Co. acquired by Burroughs
|
Apr
|
Birth of Masaru Ibuka, co-founder of Tokyo Tsushin Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Ltd. (later, Sony) [11-Apr]
|
|
Kanekichi Yasui establish Yasui Sewing Machine Co. (precursor to Brother)
|
Oct
|
Camillo Olivetti founds Ing. G. Olivetti & Co., S.p.A., in Ivrea, Italy, manufacturing typewriters
|
1909
|
Burroughs acquires Pike Adding Machine Co.
|
1910
|
Nippon Chikuonki Shokai (Japan Recorders Corp.) founded by Frederick Whitney Horne (later, Nippon Columbia Co., Ltd./Denon) |
Feb
|
Birth of William B. Shockley, co-inventor of the transistor [13-Feb]
|
Feb
|
Uchida Denshi Kogyo Co., Ltd (a.k.a. Uchida Yoko Co., Ltd.) founded
|
Jun
|
Konrad Zuse born in Berlin, Germany [22-Jun]
|
|
Sperry Gyroscope Co. founded
|
|
Brothers Rodney and Alfred Marchant begin manufacturing calculating machines in Oakland, California
|
|
Namihei Odaira founds Hitachi, Ltd, maker of electric motors
|
1911
|
Tabulating Machine Co. changes name to Computing, Tabulating and Recording Co. (CTR), later becomes IBM
|
1912
|
Muldivo founded in London by Henri Ebstein as a distributor of office machines
|
|
N.V. Philips Gloeilampfabrieken Incorporated (Philips)
|
Apr
|
Jay R. Monroe and Frank Baldwin establish the Monroe Calculator Co. [25-Apr]
|
Sep
|
David Packard, co-founder of Hewlett Packard, born in Pueblo, Colorado [7-Sep]
|
Sep
|
Tokuji Hayakawa founds metal-working shop in Tokyo, Japan that marks the precursor to Sharp Corp. [15-Sep]
|
1913
|
Marchant brothers incorporate calculator business as Marchant Calculating Machine Co.
|
May
|
Birth of William R. Hewlett, future co-founder of Hewlett Packard [20-May]
|
1915
|
Hayakawa Brothers Company established by Tokuji Hayakawa (Precursor to Sharp Corp.)
|
May
|
Tadashi Sasaki born in Taiwan [12-May]
|
1916
|
National Association of Office Appliance Manufacturers founded in Chicago
|
1917
Nov
|
Tadao Kashio born, Nangoku City, Japan, future co-founder of Casio [26-Nov]
|
1918
|
AB Addo founded in Malmo, Sweden by Hugo Agrell
|
|
Matsushita Electric Housewares Mfg. Works (Panasonic) founded by Kōnosuke Matsushita
|
Mar
|
Victor Adding Machine Co. founded in Chicago, IL, by Carl Buehler
|
May
|
Birth of Ge Yao (G.Y.) Chu (Wang Laboratories) [3-May]
|
Aug
|
Birth of
Katherine Johnson, who became one of NASA's leading "human computers" (with
the help of a Monroe electromechanical calculator) [26-Aug]
|
1919
|
Birth of Barney Oliver, RADAR pioneer, and later, founding director of HP Labs, responsible for overseeing development of groundbreaking HP 9100 and HP-35 calculators
|
Jun
|
Birth of Stanley Frankel, Manhattan Project Physicist, Computer & Calculator designer. See exhibit on the SCM/Marchant Cogito 240SR for more information. [6-Jun]
|
Jul
|
Birth of Frank Wyle, Founder of Wyle Laboratories [23-Jul]
|
|
Radio Corporation of America (RCA) established as public company with majority ownership by General Electric
|
|
Willard Rockwell forms a company in Wisconsin making truck axle bearings forming the foundation of what becomes Rockwell International
|
|
The first Victor Adding Machine, the Model 110, is introduced
|
1920
Feb
|
An Wang born in Shanghai, China, future founder of Wang Laboratories [7-Feb]
|
1921
Jan
|
Birth of Akio Morita, co-founder of Sony [26-Jan]
|
|
Mitsubishi Electric Corp. formed as spinoff of Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Co.
|
|
Moon-Hopkins Billing Machine Co. purchased by Burroughs
|
1922
|
AB Åtvidabergs Industrier founded in Sweden by Elof Ericsson (becomes Facit AB)
|
|
Laurence Marshall and Vannevar Bush are founders of American Appliance Co. (becomes Raytheon)
|
1923
|
Dictaphone Corp. formed out of Columbia Gramophone Co.
|
Sep
|
Hayakawa Brothers Company facilities destroyed by Great Kanto Earthquake and subsequent fires
|
Nov
|
Birth of Jack Kilby, inventor of the first experimental Integrated Circuit
|
1924
|
Birth of Yoshio Kojima (Future President of Nippon Calculating Machine Co.)
|
|
Carl Walther Company begins manufacture and sale of calculating machines
|
Sep
|
Tokuji Hayakawa opens rebuilt metal-working business in Osaka, Japan, as Hayakawa Metal Laboratories [1-Sep]
|
|
Burroughs Adding Machine Co. listed on New York Stock Exchange
|
|
Computing, Tabulating, and Recording Co. changes name to International Business Machines (IBM)
|
1925
|
Due to a name clash, American Appliance Co. changes name to Raytheon Co.
|
Apr
|
Frank S. Baldwin, calculator designer at Monroe, passes away [8-Apr]
|
Apr
|
Heinz Nixdorf born in Paderborn, Germany [9-Apr]
|
1926
|
L.C. Smith & Bros. and Corona Typewriter merge
to become Smith Corona
|
Nov
|
Kanekichi Yasui, founder of Yasui Sewing Machine Co. passes away
|
Nov
|
Masayoshi Yasui, son of founder Yasui Sewing Machine Co. suceeds his father as CEO of the company
|
|
Yasui Sewing Machine Co. renamed Yasui Brothers Sewing Machine Co.
|
1927
|
Remington Typewriter Co. and Rand Kardex merge to form Remington Rand
|
Mar
|
William B. Hugle, future founder of Hugle International, Siliconix, and others, born [30-Mar]
|
Mar
|
Birth of Robert H. Norman, Electronics Engineer & Businessman (General Micro-electronics, Nortec Electronics) [24-Mar]
|
|
Matsushita begins marketing bicycle lamps in Japan under the "National" brand
|
|
Remington Rand purchases Powers Accounting Machine Co.
|
Dec
|
Birth of Robert Noyce, inventor of the first practical Integrated Circuit, and co-founder of Integrated Electronics (Intel) [12-Dec]
|
1928
|
Nippon Calculating Machine Co. Ltd. founded in Osaka, Japan
|
|
Brand name "Brother" registered by Yasui Brothers Sewing Machine Co.
|
Jul
|
Birth of Robert A. Ragen, architect of the Friden EC-130 electronic calculator [23-Jul]
|
Sep
|
Paul Galvin founds Galvin Manufacturing Corp., in Chicago, Illinois (Precursor to Motorola)
|
1929
Jan
|
Birth of Gordon E. Moore, Co-Founder of Intel, and creator of "Moore's Law" [3-Jan]
|
Jan
|
Birth of Kazuo Kashio, co-founder of Casio Computer Co., Ltd. [9-Jan]
|
Feb
|
Massimo Rinaldi, founder of Industria Macchine Elettroniche (IME) and designer/patent holder of early IME Calculators, born [21-Feb]
|
Apr
|
Birth of Dale Perry Masher, Co-designer at SRI of display subsystem for Friden 130 [14-Apr]
|
|
Carl Friden leaves as head of design department of Marchant Calculating Machine Co.
|
|
National Association of Office Appliance Manufacturers renamed to Office Equipment Manufacturers Institute
|
Dec
|
Idek Tramielski (Jack Tramiel) Born in Lodz, Poland (founder of Commodore) [13-Dec]
|
1930
May
|
Geophysical Service Inc. founded. (Precursor to Texas Instruments)
|
|
Union Schreibmaschinen GmbH moves from Berlin to
Erfürt, Germany
|
|
Union Schreibmaschinen GmbH renamed to
"Europa Schreibmaschinen AG", creates the brand name "Olympia" for their
typewriters
|
|
Dorr Eugene Felt, co-founder of Felt & Tarrant, passes away
|
Nov
|
Birth of James (Phil) Ferguson, co-founder of General Micro-electronics [18-Nov]
|
Dec
|
Birth of Pier Giorgio Perotto, designer of the Olivetti Programma 101 programmable electronic calculator [24-Dec]
|
1931
Jan
|
Birth of Eiichi Goto, inventor of Parametron [22-Jan]
|
Mar
|
Julius J. Muray, (VP of Cintra) Born in Hungary [22-Mar] |
Apr
|
Irwin Wunderman (founder of Cintra) born [24-Apr]
|
Jun
|
Birth of Don E. Farina, MOS IC Pioneer [3-Jun]
|
1932
|
Olivetti makes first public stock offering
|
|
Carl Buehler, fouder of Victor Adding Machine Co., passes away
|
Sep
|
Birth of Howard Rathbun, Co-Inventor of Monroe EPIC 2000 and EPIC 3000 calculators with Mark Pivovonsky. US Patent 3,328,763 [24-Sep]
|
1933
|
Seiki Kogaku Kenkyusho (Precision Optical Industry) established (precursor to Canon Camera Co.)
|
Mar
|
Birth of Atsushi Asada, visionary engineer behind development of Electronic Calculators at Hayakawa Electric (Sharp)
|
|
Birth of William Kahn, designer of Mathatronics Mathatron calculator
|
May
|
Friden Calculating Machine, Co. founded by Carl Friden with $52,000 in capital
|
May
|
Future inventor of CMOS IC technology, Frank Wanlass, born in Thatcher, Arizona [17-May]
|
May
|
Tateisi Electric Mfg. Co. founded by Kazuma Tateisi, Osaka Japan (becomes OMRON Corp.) [10-May]
|
|
Sperry Corp. formed
|
1934
Jan
|
Friden Calculating Machine Co. founded in Oakland, CA on $100K investment from four investors
|
|
Litton Industries founded by Charles Litton Sr.
|
|
Yasui Brothers Sewing Machine Co. renamed Nippon Sewing Machine Mfg. Co.
|
|
Barry Wright Corp. founded (later purchased Mathatronics, Inc.)
|
1935
|
IBM announces the 601 Multiplying Punch (electro-mechanical punched-card calculator) |
May
|
Hayakawa Metal Industry Institute Co., Ltd. incorporated from Hayakaya Metal Laboratories, Tokuji Hayakawa Founder & President (future Sharp Corp.) [1-May]
|
May
|
Birth of Howard Zabriskie Bogert, calculator designer & LSI engineer [5-May]
|
Jun
|
Fujitsu founded as manufacturing arm of Fuji Electric Ltd., building telephone exchange-related equipment |
1936
Feb
|
Riken Kankoshi Co., Ltd. founded by Kiyoshi Ichimure as spinoff of Rikagaku Kogyo (precursor to Ricoh) [6-Feb]
|
Jun
|
General Precision Equipment Corp. founded
|
|
Hayakawa Metal Industry Institute Co., Ltd. changes
name to Hayakawa Industrial Co., Ltd. (future Sharp Corp.)
|
|
Union Schreibmaschinen AG renamed Olympia
Büromaschinen Werke AG (Olympia Office Machine Works)
|
|
Friden Calculating Machine, Co., moves to San Leandro, California
|
1937
|
Librascope Inc. founded by Mr. Lewie Imm
|
Aug
|
Seiki Kogaku Kenkyusho (Precision Optical Industry) Co., Ltd. Incorporated (Precursor to Canon Camera Co.)
|
Oct
|
Marcian (Ted) Hoff, designer of the first single-chip microprocessor, born in Rochester, New York
|
1938
|
Konrad Zuse completes the mostly mechanical V1 (later known as Z1), a prototype of a programmable calculating machine using binary elements |
Mar
|
Riken Kankoshi Co. Ltd. changes name to Riken Optical Co. Ltd. (Ricoh)
|
Nov
|
Heinrich Diehl (founder of Diehl Corp.) passes, son Karl assumes presidency of company [7-Nov]
|
Dec
|
Incorporation of Geophysical Service (precursor to Texas Instruments)
|
1939
Jan
|
Hewlett Packard founded by Bill Hewlett & David Packard in Palo Alto, California USA
|
|
Tokyo Electric Co. and Shibaura Engineering Works Co., Ltd. merge to form Tokyo Shibaura Electric Co., Ltd. (Later, Toshiba)
|
|
Clary Corp. founded by Hugh L. Clary
|
|
Geophysical Service Inc.(GSI) changes name to Coronado Corp., GSI continues as subsidiary
|
Apr
|
Construction of Bell Laboratories' relay-based "Complex Number Calculator" begins
|
Oct
|
Bell Laboratories' relay-based "Complex Number Calculator" completed
[First Relay-Based General Purpose Calculator]
|
1940
|
The Spencer Co. changes its name to Philco Corp., using the brand name it had been marketing radios under since the 1930's
|
Sep
|
Public Demonstration of Bell Laboratories' relay-based Complex Number Calculator [11-Sep]
[First example of remote computing]
|
Nov
|
Birth of Harold Koplow (Senior Calculator Engineer at Wang Labs), in Lynn, MA [21-Nov]
|
1941
|
Librascope Inc. purchased by General Precision Equipment Corp.
|
May
|
Uchida Denshi Kogyo Co., Ltd. (Uchida Yoko) incoroporated
|
|
Michael James Cochran (Chief Calculator Architect, Texas Instruments) born in Daytona Beach, Florida [21-May]
|
Sep
|
Birth of H. Edward Roberts, future founder of MITS [13-Sep]
|
|
Small four-function relay calculator developed by Fuji Electric Works, Japan
|
Dec
|
Geophysical Service Inc. subsidiary of Coronado purchased by four men to form foundation that became Texas Instruments [6-Dec]
|
Dec
|
Birth of Federico Faggin, designer of the first commercial microprocessor on a chip, the Intel 4004, first used in the Busicom 141-PF electronic calculator [1-Dec]
|
Dec
|
Konrad Zuse completes the V3 (later known as Z3) relay-based programmable calculator
|
1942
|
Fuji Star Calculator Mfg. Established (Precursor to Nippon Calculating Machine Co.)
|
|
Hayakawa Industrial Co., Ltd. changes business name to Hayakawa Electric Co., Ltd.
|
1943
Jan
|
Harvard Mark I (also called ASCC, for Automatic Sequence Controlled Calculator) completed
|
|
Curt Herzstark,
under Nazi orders, draws up plans what becomes the
Curta
calculator while imprisoned in German Buchenwald concentration camp
|
Jul
|
Bell Labs Completes Model II "Relay Interpolator"
|
Aug
|
Masatoshi Shima (behind the pioneering development of microprocessor in Busicom calculator) born in Shizuoka, Japan [22-Aug]
|
1945
Mar
|
Bell Labs Completes Model IV "Error Detector Mark 22" Relay Calculator
|
Apr
|
Carl Friden, founder of Friden Calculating Machine Co., passes away [29-Apr]
|
|
Fuji Star Calculator Mfg. refounded as Nippon Calculator Co., Ltd. after WWII (Precursor of Nippon Calculating Machine Co.)
|
|
Walter S. Johnson assumes role as President of Friden Calculating Machine Co.
|
Jun
|
Bell Labs Completes Model III Relay-Based "Ballistic Computer"
|
1946
Jan
|
Tektronix, Inc. founded by Jack Murdock and Howard Vollum in Portland, Oregon USA
|
Apr
|
Tadao Kashio and son Kazuo start "Kashio Seisansho" (Kashio Manufacturing, later "Casio Computer Co., Ltd.")
|
May
|
Tokyo Tsushin Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Ltd. (Tokyo Telecommunications Engineering Corp.) established (later, Sony) by Masaru Ibuka and Akio Morita [7-May]
|
|
Nippon Calculating Machine Co., Ltd Incorporated, Tokyo, Japan
|
|
Sankyo Seiki Mfg. founded, development of mechanical music box movements begins
|
|
Nippon Chikuonki Shokai(Japan Recorders Corp.) renamed Nippon Columbia Co.
|
|
Tadashi Sasaki visits transistor technology researchers at Bell Labs
|
Nov
|
Calculating race in Tokyo, between desktop electromechanical calculator and abacus - Abacus Won! [12-Nov]
|
1947
Feb
|
Sanyo Electric Works founded by Toshio
Iue(brother-in-law of Matsushita founder Kōnosuke Matsushita) in Osaka
Japan, producing bicycle light generators for Matsushita
|
|
Galvin Manufacturing Corp. changes name to "Motorola, Inc."
|
|
Denon brandname established for Nippon Columbia Co., Ltd. audio products
|
|
Curta calculator (Type I) begins production
|
Aug
|
Hewlett Packard Co. Incorporated
|
Sep
|
Seiki Kogako Kenkyusho (Precision Optical Industry) Co., Ltd. changes name to "Canon Camera Co., Inc."
|
Dec
|
The first working transistor is created at Bell Laboratories [16-Dec]
|
Dec
|
First use of the transistor as audio amplifier
demonstrated internally at Bell Labs [24-Dec]
|
1948
Jun
|
Transistor first publically demonstrated by Bell Laboratories [30-Jun]
|
May
|
Tateisi Electric Mfg. changes name to Tateisi Electronics Co.
|
Jun
|
The grown junction transistor is invented by Dr. William Shockley [23-Jun]
|
|
Futaba Denshi founded in Mobara, Japan, manufacturing radio vacuum tubes
|
|
Raytheon introduces the first successful commercial Germanium point-contact transistor, the CK703
|
1949
|
First Japanese Business Machine Exposition held in Tokyo, Japan
|
|
Wyle Laboratories founded, El Segundo, CA
|
|
Nippon Electric (NEC) and Western Electric (Bell Labs) establish joint-venture with funding from Western Electric to develop transistor technology in Japan
|
|
Introduction of the Friden STW-10 electromechanical calculator at the fall New York Business Show
|
|
Bell Labs' Relay-Based Complex Number Calculator dismanteled
|
1950
Jan
|
Oi Electric Co. Ltd., founded
|
|
Coronado Corp. changes name to General Instruments, Inc.
|
|
Walther M. A. Andersen founds Andersen Laboratories, Inc., a pioneering
company in development of low-cost acoustic delay line technology
|
|
Nippon Electric (NEC) begins first Japanese transistor R&D effort as a result of joint-venture with Western Electric
|
Apr
|
Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd., Incorporated [1-Apr]
|
|
Canon Camera Co., Inc. opens branch office in New York City
|
|
Diehl Corp. begins development of mechanical calculating machines
|
Nov
|
Broughton & Co. (Bristol) Ltd. (a.k.a. Broughtons of Bristol) Incorporated, Providing Sales & Support of Imported Office Equipment [17-Nov]
|
1951
Jan
|
Geophysical Services Inc. changes name to Texas Instruments Inc.
|
Jun
|
Dr. An Wang begins Wang Laboratories with $600 of his own money [22-Jun]
|
|
Concept of microprogramming conceived by Maurice Wilkes at Cambridge University
|
Jul
|
Bell Labs announces the development of the junction transistor [4-Jul]
|
|
Bell Labs begins selling licensing rights to transistor technology for $25,000
|
Sep
|
Bell Labs hosts first technology forum for potential licensees of transistor
|
1952
Mar
|
Takachiho Koheki Co. Ltd. founded [13-Mar]
|
Apr
|
Bell Laboratories hosts nine-day Transistor Technology Symposium for licensees of transitor technology
|
|
Benson-Lehner introduces the Computyper (later sold to Friden)
|
|
Japan's Electotechnical Laboratory (ETL) develops prototype relay calculator, the ETL Mark 1
|
|
First demonstration of magnetic core memory
|
Jun
|
Wang Laboratories incorporated [30-Jun]
|
|
Friden SRW electromechanical calculator introduced
[First Desktop Electromechanical Calculator with Automatic Square Root]
|
|
Founding of transistor manufacturer Transitron Electronic Corp.
|
Jul
|
Heinz Nixdorf founds Labor für Impulstechnik, in Essen, Germany (later, Nixdorf Computer, Inc.) [1-Jul]
|
Aug
|
Physical Research Laboratories acquired by Marchant Calculators, Inc., renamed Marchant Research Inc. [7-Aug]
|
|
Diehl Corp. begins production of semi-automatic mechanical calculators
|
1953
Jan
|
Paul G. Allen, Future Co-Founder of Microsoft, Born in Seattle, Washington [21-Jan]
|
|
National Cash Register Co., acquires Computer Research Corp., forming NCR Electronics Division
|
|
Massimo Rinaldi graduates with Electrical Engineering degree from La Sapienza University of Rome
|
|
Burroughs Adding Machine Co. renamed to Burroughs Corporation
|
Nov
|
University of Manchester's experimental transistorized computer operational
[First Transistor-based(Logic) General Purpose Computer]
|
|
Philco Corp. develops the surface barrier transistor, a high-speed Germanium
transistor developed expressly for high-speed computers
|
|
First practical use of magnetic core memory in a computer; 32x32x16 (1024 16-bit words) array in
Whirlwind I
using
vacuum tube-based drivers and sense amplifiers
|
|
Raytheon announces the first mass-produced commercial junction transistor, the Germanium PNP CK722
|
|
RCA introduces its first commercial transistor
|
1954
Jan
|
Bell Labs' transistorized
TRADIC
computer goes operational
[First Transistor-based(Logic) Computer in US]
|
|
Büromaschinen Werke AG renamed to Olympia Werke AG
|
Mar
|
Parametron invented in Japan by Eiji Goto (Parametron-Based Logic Used in Oi Electric's
Aleph Zero
Calculator)
|
|
Japan's Electrotechnical Laboratory creates Electronics Department specifically tasked with solid-state electronic technology
research & development
|
|
Brother International Corp. established in US by Nippon Sewing Machine Mfg. Co.
|
Apr
|
Texas Instruments R&D Develops First Functional Silicon Junction Transistor [4-Apr]
|
|
Burroughs purchases Haydu Brothers, manufacturers of vacuum tubes (and inventors of Nixie display tubes)
|
May
|
Texas Instruments announces it will begin production of Silicon transistors [10-May]
|
Jul
|
Tokyo Tsushin Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Ltd. (Sony) announces availability of the first transistor produced in Japan, a PNP Germanium-alloy device
|
Sep
|
Toyo Electronics Industry established in Kyoto Japan, known as R.ohm (future ROHM Semiconductor) |
Oct
|
Fuji Telecommunications Mfg. (later Fujitsu) introduces
FACOM 100
programmable relay calculator (~4,500 relays)
|
|
Friden Calculating Machine Co. opens production facility in Wageningen, Holland
|
|
Production of the
Curta Type II
begins
|
Dec
|
Toshio and Tadao Kashio (Kashio Seisakujo - later Casio) completes prototype solenoid-operated electric calculator
|
Dec
|
The Regency TR-1, the first transistor radio (using Texas Instruments transistors), is introduced at price of $49.95
|
1955
Feb
|
Monroe introduces the
Monrobot III
Vacuum Tube-Based/Magnetic Drum Programmable Electronic Desk-Sized Calculator
|
|
Autonetics established as an independent division of North American Rockwell specializing in military electronics
|
|
Canon opens US Branch office in New York City, establishing Canon USA
|
|
Texas Instruments introduces the first commercial Silicon-junction transistors, the 900-Series
|
|
Typewriter marketing firm, Commodore International Ltd., founded by Jack Tramiel in Toronto, Canada
|
May
|
Dr. An Wang granted US Patent
2,708,722
for principles of principles of magnetic core memory
|
|
Remington Rand merges with Sperry Gyroscope Corp., forming Sperry Rand
|
|
Matsushita begins use of "PanaSonic" as brand name for products sold outside native market
|
Jun
|
Wang Laboratories incorporated
|
Aug
|
Tokyo Tsushin Kogyo, Ltd. (Sony) produces Japan's first transistor radio, the TR-55, utilizing five in-house developed Germanium transistors, developed under license from Bell Laboratories
|
Aug
|
Tokyo Tsushin Kogyo, Ltd. (Sony) listed as OTC stock on Tokyo Stock Exchange
|
Oct
|
Birth of William Henry Gates, Seattle, WA [28-Oct]
|
Nov
|
Introduction
of Stanley Frankel-designed
Librascope LGP-30 Small Computer
|
Nov
|
Japan's Electrotechnical Laboratory completes large-scale relay-based
ETL Mark II Computer,
over 20,000 relays
|
1956
|
Development project behind the Bell Punch electronic calculator begins
|
Mar
|
Friden
acquires
Commercial Controls Corp. (Originator of Flexowriter/Justowriter)
|
Mar
|
Japan's Fuji Photographic Film Co. completes Japan's first electronic computer, FUJIC, 1700 vacuum tubes, delay line memory
|
Mar
|
Dr. An Wang sells rights to core memory principles patent to IBM for $500,000 to provide capital for Wang Laboratories [4-Mar]
|
|
Facit starts up subsidiary called Facit Electronics to build and sell electronic computers
|
Jul
|
Japan's Eletrotechnical Laboratory completes Japan's first transistorized computer, the ETL Mark III
|
|
Dr. William Shockley founds Shockley Semiconductor Laboratory in Mt. View, California, with investment from Beckman Instruments, Inc. to develop silicon semiconductor technology
|
|
Dr. William Shockley(2/13/1910-8/12/1989), Walter Brattain(2/10/1902-10/13/1987), and John Bardeen(5/23/1908-1/30/1991) jointly awarded Nobel Prize in Physics for discovery of the transistor effect
|
|
Kashio Seisansho (later, Casio Computer Co., Ltd.) shows prototype relay-based general purpose calculator
|
|
Goverment action requires Bell Labs to make transistor design information available for licensing
|
1957
Jan
|
Casio Computer Co., Ltd. formally founded from Kashio Seisansho
|
|
Sherman Fairchild, founder of Fairchild Camera and Instrument, funds startup of Fairchild Semiconductor to develop Silicon transistors
|
|
Felt and Tarrant Mfg. Co. becomes "Comptometer Corp."
|
|
RCA introduces the 2N404 PNP alloy-junction Germanium transistor which
became heavily used in early American electronic calculator designs
|
|
Clary Corp. introduces a plugboard-programmable electronic calculator built into a desk, the Clary
DE-60
|
|
Elmer R. Easton joins Wyle Laboratories as part of its management team after five years at Lear Inc. (Aircraft)
|
|
Digital Equipment Corporation founded in Maynard, Massachusetts
|
|
The "Nixie" gas-discharge numeric display tube goes into volume production at Burroughs
|
Jun
|
Casio Computer Co., Ltd. incorporated [1-Jun]
|
Jun
|
Casio 14-A Relay Calculator debuts for sale, 342 relays
[Casio's First Electric Relay Calculator]
|
Jun
|
Uchida Yoko Co., Ltd. contracted as exclusive distributor of Casio relay calculators
|
|
The "Traiterous Eight", senior engineers resign Shockley Semiconductor to join fledgling Fairchild Semiconductor
|
|
IBM introduces the
610 "Auto-Point" calculator
(floating point, programmable w/magnetic drum, vacuum-tube logic)
|
|
1958
Jan
|
Bell Punch shows prototype of electronic calculator using cold-cathode tube technology
|
Jan
|
Marchant closes down Marchant Research subsidiary
|
Jan
|
Tokyo Tsushin Kogyo, Ltd., renamed to Sony Corporation
|
|
Matsushita Communication Industrial Co., Ltd. established as spin off from Matsusushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
|
|
Nippon Electric Co., Ltd. introduces the NEAC-1101 and NEAC-1102 computers based on Parametron technology
|
|
Monroe Calculating Machine Co. acquired by Litton Industries
|
|
Marchant acquires Johnson Adding Machine Co.
|
Apr
|
Smith-Corona, Inc. and Marchant Calculators, Inc.
agree
in principle to merge [7-Apr]
|
Jun
|
Merger of Smith-Corona, Inc. and Marchant Calculators, Inc. completed, forming SCM Corp
|
Sep
|
First Integrated Circuits: Jack Kilby, Texas Instruments/Robert Noyce, Fairchild
|
Dec
|
Sony Corporation listed on Tokyo Stock Exchange
|
1959
|
Hitachi establishes business presence in the US; Hitachi New York, Ltd.
|
|
Friden SBT-10 electromechanical calculator introduced offering "Back Transfer" from carriage to keyboard
|
Apr
|
Tsugio Makimoto hires on at Hitachi, working to improve Germanium Transistor operating speed
|
Apr
|
Varadyne Industries, Inc. incorporated in Santa Monica, CA
|
|
Massimo Rinaldi founds Transimatic S.p.A. in Rome, manufacturing mechanical calculators and accounting machines (later, IME)
|
|
Olivetti introduces Italy's first commercial electronic computer, the transistorized Elea 9003
|
|
Solitron Devices, Inc., solid-state electronic component manufacturer, founded by Benjamin Friedman, in West Palm Beach, FL
|
May
|
Casio 14-B Relay calculator introduced (Automatic Square Root)
|
May
|
National Semiconductor founded in Danbury, Connecticut
|
Nov
|
Design team formed at Packard Bell to develop what becomes the PB-250 computer
|
|
Japan displaces the United States as the world's largest producer of transistors, producing 86 million transistors in 1959
|
1960
Feb
|
NEC prototypes first Japanese-made Mesa-type Germanium transistor [19-Feb]
|
Feb
|
Sony establishes Sony Corporation of America in United States
|
Feb
|
First customer shipment of Clary DE 60 desk-sized programmable electronic calculator
|
Apr
|
Clevite Transistor Products acquires Shockley Transistor Corp., William Shockley joins Clevite's transistor division |
Mar
|
Texas Instruments announces the SN502 "Solid Circuit" Silicon Monolithic IC Flip Flop ($450 Retail Cost Per Flip Flop!)
[TI's First Commercially Sold Digital IC]
|
|
Nippon Electric begins R&D effort in Integrated Circuit technology
|
|
Comptometer Corp. sells right use trademark "Comptometer" to Control Systems Ltd., the owner of Bell Punch Co. Ltd., and Sumlock, Ltd.
|
Mar
|
Casio 301 Scientific relay calculator introduced
|
|
Philco files for bankruptcy protection, seeks buyer for distressed business
|
Apr
|
Engineers from Hayakawa Electric (Sharp) visit Prof. Hiroshi Ozaki at Osaka University to study transistorized digital logic design principles
|
Aug
|
Prototype Packard Bell PB-250 computer operational
|
Sep
|
Hayakawa Electric (Sharp) formally creates high technology product research department
|
Sep
|
Fairchild produces first functional planar monolithic integrated circuit
|
Oct
|
First production Packard Bell PB-250 computer delivered to customer
|
|
Research into development of purely electronic calculator begins at Hayakawa Electric(Sharp) within newly formed R&D department under direction of Mr. Atsushi Asada
|
1961
Jan
|
Japan's government-backed Eletro-Technical Laboratory produces a simple integrated circuit as proof-of-concept
[Japan's First Integrated Circuit]
|
|
William Kahn begins design specification for Mathatron calculator
|
Feb
|
Casio announces the
"TUC Compuwriter",
a relay-based calculating machine for business that provided
a Toshiba-made output typewriter
|
|
Sony R&D Engineer Saburu Uemura creates a "homebrew" transistorized electronic
abacus (calculator) using over one-thousand reject radio transistors |
Mar
|
Clary introduces DAC-2500 electronic calculating unit as OEM product (derived from DE 60 programmable calculator)
|
|
VEB Mechanik Büromaschinenwerk Rheinmetall (East Germany) introduces line of rotary electromechanical calculators under the Supermetall brand
|
Mar
|
Fairchild announces its MicroLogic family of bipolar logic integrated circuits
|
Apr
|
Logicon Inc.
founded by eight engineers in Redondo Beach, CA, focusing on defense-oriented computing systems
|
|
Kōnosuke Matsushita of Matsushita Electric Housewares Mfg. Works
travels to US and cements deals to produce
television sets under the "Panasonic" brand for sale in US markets
|
May
|
Friden Calculating Machine Co. contacts Stanford Research Institute (SRI) to develop a CRT-based display system for a calculator
|
|
Mitsubishi Electric produces Japan's first commercial integrated circuit under trade name
|
|
  of Molectron (Molecular Electronics) using Westinghouse IC samples as a reference
|
|
TTL (Transistor-Transistor Logic) invented at Thompson Ramo Wooldridge (TRW) by James Buie
|
|
Sumlock Comptometer Ltd. founded, primary distributor for Bell Punch calculators
|
|
Nippon Sewing Machine Mfg. Co. (Brother) begins manufacturing office products
|
|
Tadashi Sasaki earns PhD in Electrical Engineering from Kyoto University
|
|
BEMA (Business Equipment Manufacturers Association) formed from reorganization of Office Equipment Manufacturers Institute
|
Sep
|
SRI Delivers Prototype CRT Display System to Friden, One Month Ahead of Schedule
|
Sep
|
Signetics (contraction of Signal Network Electronics) Corp. founded by ex-Fairchild engineers [12-Sep]
|
Oct |
Sumlock Comptometer/Bell Punch introduce the Anita C/VII (Mark 7) and the
C/VIII
(Mark 8) at the Hamburg Business Equipment Fair
|
Oct |
Sumlock Comptometer
Anita C/VIII
(Mk 8) shown to the world at London Exposition
[First mass-marketed desktop electronic calculator]
|
Oct |
Victor Adding Machine Co. and Comptometer Corp. merge to form Victor Comptometer Corp.
|
Oct |
First public exhibition of the
Anita C/VIII
(Mk 8) at the Business Efficiency Exhibition in London
|
Nov
|
Friden begins project EDTC-1, integrating SRI Display System with
Friden-developed Calculator Logic
|
Dec
|
Diehl Corp. (West Germany) and SCM forge
agreement
for SCM to have exclusive rights to market Diehl calculators in North America [9-Dec]
|
Dec
|
Ford Motor Company purchases Philco, creating Philco-Ford
division, marketing electronic semiconductor components, consumer products, computer systems, and defense industry equipment [11-Dec]
|
1962
Jan
|
Sumlock Comptometer begins accepting orders for the Anita Mk7 and
Anita Mk8
calculators
|
Jan
|
Sumlock Comptometer begins mass manufacturing of the Anita Mk7 and
Anita Mk8
|
Feb
|
Rapid Data Systems & Equipment, Ltd. incorporated [6-Feb]
|
Feb
|
Mathatronics Inc., founded by William Kahn, Roy Reach, and David Shapiro. Formal design of
Mathatron
calculator begins
|
Mar
|
Signetics announces the SE-100 series of DTL (Diode-Transistor Logic) Integrated Circuits
[First Commercial DTL ICs]
|
|
Remex Corp. opens doors in Palm Beach, FL, as a business machine distributor
|
|
Facit shuts down Facit Electronics subsidiary due to extreme competition in the computer marketplace
|
|
Philips demonstrates two prototype transistorized electronic adding machines
and a 3-function (+,-,X) 10-key calculator
|
|
Stanford Research Institute delivers prototype CRT Display design and hardware to Friden
|
|
General Electric produces the first practical Light Emitting Diode (LED)
|
|
Casio introduces the AL-1 scientific relay calculator with preset programmability
|
|
Industria Macchine Elettroniche (IME) founded in Rome, Italy, as partnership
between Dr. Massimo Rinaldi and Edison S.p.A.
|
May
|
Friden's EDTC-1 magnetic drum-based electronic calculator prototype operational
|
May
|
Addmaster Corp. incorporated to manufacture low-cost adding machines utilizing DuPont DELRIN(TM) plastic components
|
|
Commodore International, Ltd. goes public, changes name to Commodore Business Machines
|
Jun
|
SRI issues refund of $4,444.62 to Friden due to Display Project efficiency
|
Jun
|
Friden starts design project to replace magnetic drum with magnetostrictive delay line, prototype machine designated EDTC-3
|
|
Hayakawa Electric Co., Ltd. establishes US sales presence as Sharp Electronics Corp.
|
|
Nippon Sewing Machine Co. changes name to Brother Industries, Ltd.
|
|
Saburo Uemura, researcher at Sony, demonstrates third prototype hand-built
electronic calculator with typewriter output, designated MD-3, to skeptical management
|
|
Olivetti begins design of
Programma 101 electronic calculator under direction of Pier Giorgio Perotto
|
Nov
|
Smith-Corona Marchant changes company name to SCM Corp.
|
Nov
|
Soviet Union demonstrates operational prototype of an all-electronic calculator, precursor to VEGA
|
|
Oi Electric Co., Ltd. (Japan) begins project for development of an electronic calculator
|
|
Friden SRQ electromechanical calculator introduced, offering automatic square root
[First Electromechanical Rotary Calculator with Square Root]
|
Dec
|
Working prototype of
Mathatron
calculator formally demonstrated to investors of Mathatronics Inc.
|
Dec
|
Ricoh Industries, U.S.A. Inc. founded
|
1963
Mar
|
First order for two Mathatronics
Mathatron
calculators placed by Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute
|
|
General Arthur Lowell retires from the US Marine Corps
|
Apr
|
Ricoh Europe S.A. established in Switzerland
|
Apr
|
Riken Optical Co. Ltd. changes name to "Ricoh Co., Ltd." |
|
Massimo Rinaldi sells majority control of Transimatic to Edison, S.p.A., assumes
R&D Director role, and changes name of the company to Industria Macchine Elettroniche, S.p.A.(IME) |
Jun
|
Friden exhibits prototype
Friden 130
electronic calculator
|
Jun
|
General Micro-electronics, spinoff of Fairchild, founded by Col. Arthur Lowell(US Marine Corps) along with
|
|
James (Phil) Ferguson, Robert Norman(3/24/1927-1/21/2017)
and Howard Bobb (All three from Fairchild) [31-Jun]
|
Jun
|
Founders of General Micro-electronics reach agreement in principle with Pyle National for Pyle National to provide startup funding of approx $4-5M
|
Jun
|
Friden introduces its 6010 Computyper computer system
|
|
Sanyo introduces the "Cadnica" line of Nickel-Cadmium Rechargeable batteries
|
|
Singer Manufacturing Co. changes named to Singer Corp.
|
Jun
|
SCM Corp. announces plan to move manufacturing calculators from Oakland, CA, to Orangeburg, SC
|
Jul
|
Announcement of intent for Singer Corp. to acquire Friden Calculating Machine Co. [16-Jul]
|
Jul
|
Mathatronics Inc., successfully completes first customer shipment of Mathatron Model 8-48 calculator to Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute for shipboard research use
|
Jul
|
Canon Camera Co. Inc. completes prototype 10-key electronic calculator
|
Aug
|
Formal agreement approval
announced
for Singer Corp.'s acquisition of Friden Calculating Machine Co. [16-Aug]
|
Aug
|
Western Electronics Show & Convention (WESCON), Cow Palace, San Francisco, CA [20-23 Aug]
|
|
Diehl Corp. introduces the "Transmatic", a sophisticated four-function electromechanical automatic printing calculator
|
Aug
|
Oi Electric exhibits trial production prototype of
Aleph Zero
calculator
|
|
Fairchild introduces the first RTL (Resistor-Transistor Logic) Flip Flop IC, the 907
|
Sep
|
Project to develop Timesharing Computer System based on the BASIC language begins at Dartmouth College
|
Oct
|
Japanese Electronics Show, Minato Fairgrounds, Osaka Japan [2-8 Oct]
|
Oct
|
Sale of Friden Calculating Machine Co. to Singer Corp. completed [14-Oct]
|
Oct
|
Philip R. Samwell succeeds Walter S. Johnson as President of Friden Division of Singer Corp.
|
Oct
|
Friden Division of Singer Corp. acquires Physical Sciences Corp. of Arcadia, CA
|
Oct
|
Pyle National announces majority funding of General Micro-electronics [23-Oct]
|
Oct
|
General Micro-electronics announces production of its first MOS IC family, dubbed Picologic
|
|
Thomas Osborne leaves SCM Corp.
|
Nov
|
17th Annual NEREM (National Electronics Researach & Engineering Meeting), Boston, MA [4-6 Nov]
|
Nov
|
Mathatronics Mathatron formally introduced @ NEREM show, Boston
[Many Firsts: First All-Transistor w/Magnetic Core Memory, "Learn Mode" Stored Program, Floating Decimal, Scientific Notation, Algebraic Logic, Automatic Square Root]
|
Dec
|
MOS IC guru Frank Wanlass(5/17/1933-9/9/2010) leaves Fairchild to join General Micro-electronics for MOS LSI development
|
1964
Jan
|
Thomas Osborne begins work on developing his own calculator design
|
Feb
|
K&M Electronics founded, developing electronic inventory systems
|
|
The Dual In-Line Package (DIP) for ICs invented at Fairchild R&D Lab
|
|
David Takagishi (later of Cintra) begins work at Fairchild Semiconductor
|
|
Dartmouth College Receives NSF Grants for Development of Timeshared BASIC
|
|
Union Carbide Electronics created as part of Union Carbide conglomerate, with Jean Hoerni as President
|
|
Dr. Tadashi Sasaki leaves Fujitsu for senior management position at Hayakawa Electric (Sharp)
|
Feb
|
Dartmouth Receives two GE Computers for implementation of Timeshared BASIC, GE-225 and GE Datanet-30
|
|
Casio builds prototype transistorized desktop calculator
|
|
Wang Laboratories begins development of LOCI-1 Calculator
|
Mar
|
IEEE International Convention, New York [23-26 Mar]
|
Mar
|
Italy's IME (Industria Macchine Elettroniche) first shows its IME 84 electronic calculator
[IME, and Italy's, First Electronic Calculator]
|
Mar
|
Sony shows prototype MD-5 electronic calculator at IEEE Convention, New York
[Sony's First Publically Shown Desktop Electronic Calculator]
|
Mar
|
Hayakawa Electric (Sharp) shows prototype Compet 10
(Model CS-10A) transistorized electronic calculator and announces production
|
Mar
|
Oi Electric Co., Ltd. shows prototype version of
Aleph Zero 101
electronic calculator
[Parametron (ferro-electronic) logic]
|
Apr
|
IBM announces the System/360 (includes Model 30, 40, 50, 60, 62, and 70) [7-Apr]
|
Apr
|
Sony shows prototype electronic calculator in Japanese Pavillion at opening
of New York World's Fair & Exposition [22-Apr]
|
Apr
|
Italy's IME formally announces its IME 84 electronic calculator at the Milan, Italy Internation Trade Fair [12 to 25-Apr]
|
Apr
|
Wyle Laboratories demonstrates prototype Wyle WS-01 Scientific magnetic-disk-based electronic calculator at Spring Joint Computer Conference, Washington D.C. [21 to 23-Apr]
|
Apr
|
Friden announces the EC-130 to its sales force at annual "Fiesta de los Conquistadores" sales convention in Boca Raton, FL. [29-Apr]
|
May
|
The Dartmouth Time Shared System (DTSS) runs its first BASIC (Beginner's All-Purpose Symbolic Instruction Code) program on Dartmouth College's GE 265(GE-225 & Datanet 30) Computer System [1-May]
|
May
|
Hayakawa Electric (Sharp) formally introduces the Compet CS-10A Electronic Calculator [14-May]
|
May
|
Sony announces intent to enter the electronic calculator marketplace [14-May]
|
May
|
Friden formally introduces the EC-130 electronic calculator in event held at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City, with retail price of $2,150 [20-May]
[Friden's First Electronic Calculator]
|
May
|
George E. Comstock (future founder of Diablo Systems) hired at Friden as R&D Director
|
May
|
Canon shows Canola 130 Prototype
[Canon's First Electronic Calculator]
|
Jun
|
Friden begins national advertising campaign for the EC-130 electronic calculator [6-Jun]
|
Jun
|
Fairchild introduces the 930-Series DTL IC Logic family of four IC's
|
Jun
|
Casio 401 Relay calculator introduced
|
|
Citizen Business Machine Inc. established as subsidiary of Citizen Watch Co., Ltd.
|
Jul
|
Hayakawa Electric (Sharp) commences delivery of Compet 10 (CS-10A) electronic calculator in Japan
[Sharp's First Electronic Calculator]
|
|
Soviet "VEGA" electronic calculator begins production
[Soviet Union's First Electronic Calculator]
|
Aug
|
Western Electronic Show and Convetion (WESCON), Los Angeles Sports Arena [25-28 Aug]
|
Aug
|
General Micro-electronics (GM-e) publically
announces
the first commerical "large-scale" MOS IC, the PL20 20-Bit shift register,
at WESCON Show
|
Aug
|
The Friden EC-130 electronic calculator wins Industrial Design award at WESCON Show
|
Aug
|
Hayakawa Electric Co., Ltd. (Sharp) forms Industrial Instrument Division
to focus on electronic calculator business
|
Aug
|
Olivetti's Computer Division sold to General Electric. Electronic calculator team saved from sale at last minute by changing classification of the
Programma 101 project from "computer" to "calculator". [31-Aug]
|
|
Sumlock Comptometer Anita C/IX (Mark 9) debuts
|
Sep
|
Wang Laboratories introduces the
LOCI-1 calculator
[Wang Laboratories' First Electronic Calculator]
|
Sep
|
Dr. An Wang granted US Patent
3,402,285 for principles of Wang LOCI calculator
|
Oct
|
In-depth article on
Sharp's Compet 10 calculator
written up in Japan's Semiconductor Technique Magazine
|
Oct
|
Victor and General Micro-electronics(GM-e) sign contract for GM-e to develop and produce the
Victor 3900 calculator
|
Oct
|
Los Angeles BEMA (Business Equipment Manufacturers Association) show [19-23 Oct]
|
Oct
|
Canon formally introduces the Canola 130 electronic calculator
|
Oct
|
Texas Instruments begins sale of SN5400-Series TTL Integrated Circuits in flat-pack packages
|
Dec
|
Wanderer-Werke AG publically shows pre-production prototype of its Conti electronic printing calculator with electronics designed by Labor füur Impulsetechnik (later, Nixdorf) [7-Dec]
|
Dec
|
British electronic component manufacturer Mullard shows prototype electronic calculator utilizing thyratrons and transistors
|
Dec
|
Monroe EPIC 2000 calculator introduced [1-Dec]
|
Dec
|
MOS IC innovator Frank Wanlass(5/17/1933-9/9/2010) leaves General Micro-electronics after only one year, moving to General Instruments
|
Dec
|
Arthur Lowell resigns (under pressure) as President of General Micro-electronics
|
Dec
|
James (Phil) Ferguson assumes role of President of General Micro-electronics
|
Dec
|
Thomas Osborne's "Green Machine" calculator prototype becomes fully operational [24-Dec]
|
|
Wyle Laboratories WS-02 Scientific delay-Line based update of the WS-01 calculator debuts
|
1965
Jan
|
Wang Laboratories LOCI-2 electronic calculator debuts
[Wang Laboratories' First Programmable Calculator]
|
|
General Micro-electronics (GM-e) completes breadboard prototype design for
Victor 3900 using its
Milliwatt Logic Bipolar integrated circuits
|
Mar
|
IEEE Annual International Convention, New York, NY [22-25 Mar]
|
Apr
|
Wanderer-Werke AG formally introduces the Wanderer Conti printing desktop electronic calculator at Hanover Fair
|
Apr
|
Friden 132 introduced to Friden sales force at annual sales convention [8-Apr]
|
|
Fairchild introduces first commercial line of Integrated Circuits using
Dual-Inline Package (DIP) format that the company invented
|
|
Solitron Devices, Inc. purchases Honeywell Semiconductor Products Division
|
|
First Hungarian electronic calculator, the transistor-based Hunor 131,
introduced. Manufactured by
Elektronikus Mérőkészülékek Gyára(EMG)
|
Apr
|
General Micro-electronics delivers first 25 production Victor 3900 calculators to Victor
|
|
Olympia Werke AG introduces the RAE 4/15
[Olympia's First Electronic Calculator]
|
May
|
Nippon Calculating Machine Co. shows prototype "Unicon 160" electronic
calculator
|
May
|
Arthur Lowell assumes role of Executive Director of R&D at North American Aviation's Autonetics diviion
|
May
|
Casio 402 Financial relay-based calculator debuts
|
|
AB Åtvidabergs Industrier changes its corporate name to Facit AB
|
|
Clevite Transistor Products sold to ITT Industries
|
|
Prototype of Data Acquisition Corp. DAC-512 programmable desktop calculator running
|
Jun
|
First customer deliveres of Monroe EPIC 2000 calculators begin
|
Jun
|
Smith Corona Marchant (SCM) announces the SCM Cogito 240 Electronic Calculator |
Jun
|
Malcolm McMillan(Physicist) and Jack Volder(CORDIC Developer) demo their "Athena" prototype calculator that uses CORDIC algorithms to perform fixed point trig functions to Hewlett Packard executives
|
Jun
|
Casio announces the Casio 001
electronic calculator
[Casio's first production all-electronic calculator]
|
Jun
|
Inventor/Electronics Engineer Thomas Osborne demos his "Green Machine" floating point calculator prototype to HP executives
|
Jun
|
Casio ends exclusive distribution agreement with Uchida Yoko Co., Ltd.
|
|
Royal McBee acquired by Litton Industries
|
|
Tokyo Shibaura Electric Co., Ltd. (Toshiba) establishes U.S. business presence
|
Sep
|
Caltype Corporation incorporated, subsidiary of Transistron Electronic Corp. [15-Sep]
|
Sep
|
Texas Instruments'
"Cal-Tech"
skunkworks project begins
|
Sep
|
Sharp introduces the Compet 20 (CS-20A)
[Sharp's First Use of Silicon Transistors]
|
Oct
|
Sharp Compet 20 shown at Japan's 31st Annual Business Machine Show in Osaka, Japan
|
Oct
|
BEMA show, New York, October 25-29
|
Oct
|
Dero Research & Development introduces the Sage 1 calculator at BEMA show
[First and Only Electronic Calculator by Dero Research]
|
Oct
|
Victor Comptometer introduces the
Victor 3900 using General Micro-electronics' MOS Chipset
[First MOS LSI IC-Based Electronic Calculator]
|
Oct
|
Olivetti Programma 101 announced
[Olivetti's First Electronic Calculator]
|
Oct
|
Wang Laboratories' first public demonstation of new 300-Series Calculator
|
Nov
|
Sharp introduces the Compet 21 (CS-21A), adds square root to the Compet 20
|
|
Facit AB cements two year exclusive OEM agreement with Sharp to resell electronic calculators under Facit and Addo badges
|
Nov
|
Canon introduces the Canon 161
|
Dec
|
Toshiba BC-1001 introduced
[Toshiba's First Electronic Calculator]
|
|
Combined output of Japanese electronic calculator manufacturers for 1965 is 4,355 machines
|
1966
Jan
|
Hitachi produces its first Integrated Circuits, Emitter Coupled Logic (ECL) bipolar devices, HD101 - HD106
|
Jan
|
Casio Root 001 introduced
[Casio's First Electronic Calculator with Square Root]
|
Jan
|
Alan W. Drew appointed President/CEO of Friden Div. of Singer Corp., succeeding Philip R. Samwell
|
Mar
|
Sale of General Micro-electronics to Philco-Ford completed.
|
Mar
|
Hitachi completes prototype desktop electronic calculator
|
Mar
|
Wang Laboratories begins production of 300-Series Calculators
|
|
Sumlock Anita Electronics Ltd. split from Bell Punch to design and build electronic calculators
|
|
Data Acquisition Corp. introduces the DAC-512 programmable desktop calculator
|
|
IME introduces the IME 86 calculator
|
|
Due to cash problems, Commodore's founder & CEO, Jack Tramiel, sells 17% of
his company to Canadian investor, Irving Gould
|
|
SCM (Smith-Corona-Marchant) begins sale of the
Cogito 240
and Cogito 240SR
electronic calculators
[SCM's first electronic calculators]
|
|
Olims Electronics in Australia and Hayakawa Electric (Sharp) form
agreement allowing Olims Electronics to build and sell Sharp-designed
calculators in Australia
|
May
|
Sharp introduces the
Compet 30
(Model CS-30A) electronic calculator, making it available for purchase
|
May
|
Casio 164 electronic calculator introduced
|
May
|
Diehl introduces the
Combitron
electronic programmable printing desktop calculator, designed by Stanley Frankel
[Diehl's first electronic calculator]
|
|
Sharp announces an update to the
Compet 30 (CS-30A)
desginated Model CS-30B, providing support for negative numbers, and adding
error and memory register status indicators to the left of the display
|
Jun
|
Toshiba introduces BCT-1211 8-Terminal timeshared calculator system
[First Commercial Timeshared Multi-Terminal Calculating System]
|
Jun
|
Friden partners with Texas Instruments for development of custom Ring-Counter Integrated Circuits using TTL technology
|
Jul
|
Casio 101
introduced in Japan
[First exportable electronic calculator from Casio]
|
Jul
|
Friden introduces the 1217 printing electromechanical calculator to limited regional markets
|
Jul
|
Chipmaker American Microsystems Inc. (AMI) founded in Santa Clara, California,
led by ex-General Micro-electronics co-founder Howard Bobb and Warren Wheeler
|
Jul
|
Nippon Calculating Machine Co., Ltd. (NCM) introduces the transistorized
"Busicom" 161 electronic calculator
[NCM's First Mass-Market Electronic Calculator]
|
Jul
|
Mathatronics, Inc., purchased by Barry Wright Corp., becomes Mathatronics
division of Barry Wright Corp.
|
|
Canon U.S.A., Inc. Incorporated
|
|
Hugle Industries, Inc. founded by William B. Hugle
|
|
Facit AB acquires AB Addo, a competing Swedish mechanical calculating
machine company
|
|
Sumlock Comptometer introduces the Anita C/XII (Mark 12)
[Sumlock's First All-Transistor Calculator]
|
Sep
|
ISE Electronics Corp. (Iseden) Founded, maker of Vacuum Fluorescent
Display(VFD) numerical indicator devices |
Sep
|
Casio ships first export of
Casio 101
electronic calculators to Australia where they are sold under Remington brand
[First Casio Electronic Calculators Sold Outside Japan]
|
Sep
|
Casio introduces the Casio 101E (Commodore 500E)
|
Oct
|
Japanese Business Machines Exhibition, Toronto, Canada
|
Oct
|
Nortec Electronics Corp. incorporated, founded by Robert Norman(3/24/1927-1/21/2017)
[13-Oct]
|
Oct
|
Sanyo exhibits prototype DK-141 transistorized electronic calculator
|
Oct
|
Sharp announces the Compet 31
(CS-31A), an update to the Compet 30 Model CS-30B using Mitsubishi-made
bipolar TTL ICs to implement transistorized memory register of the CS-30B.
[Sharp's First Calculator to use Integrated Circuits]
|
Oct
|
Brother International (Japan) introduces its first electronic calculator, the Calther 130
|
Oct
|
50th Anniversary BEMA Exposition, McCormick Place, Chicago [18-20 Oct]
|
|
Texas Instruments Begins Sale of 7400-Series TTL ICs in plastic Dual-Inline (DIP) packages
|
Nov
|
Wang announces availability of the 320SE 4-user Simultaneous "Time Shared" calculator
|
Nov
|
Sharp introduces the Compet 15 "budget-friendly" electronic calculator
|
Nov
|
Toshiba introduces the BC-1411 electronic calculator
|
|
Facit AB begins marketing electronic calculators through OEM agreement with Sharp
|
Dec
|
Texas Instruments completes "Cal-Tech" prototype
[First IC-Based "Handheld" Battery-Powered Calculator]
|
|
Combined output of Japanese electronic desktop calculator manufacturers for 1966 is 25,532 machines
|
1967
Jan
|
Hitachi introduces KK-12 (ELCA-12) transistorized electronic calculator in Japan. Imported by Friden to become the
Friden 1112
[Hitachi's First Production Electronic Calculator]
|
Feb
|
Sharp begins sales of the
Compet 31 (CS-31A) in the United States
|
Mar
|
International IEEE Convention & Exhibition, New York Coliseum/Hilton Hotel [18-21 Mar]
|
Mar
|
Hayakawa Electric (Sharp) shows prototype 12-digit calculator using Japanese-made MOS ICs
|
Mar
|
Canon introduces the Canola 151 (reduced capacity version of the
Canon 161
|
|
The Floppy Disk (8-inch) invented at IBM by Alan Shugart
|
|
Commodore Business Machines enters OEM agreement with Casio for sales of Casio calculators under the Commodore brand in US & Canada |
Mar
|
Texas Instruments' first showing of "Cal-Tech" prototype
[Prototype Battery Powered Large Scale IC-Based "Handheld" Printing Calculator]
|
|
Sharp introduces the Compet CS-30B, a cost-reduced redesign of the Compet 30 (CS-30A)
|
Apr
|
Uchido Yoko introduces the
USAC 10B
integrated circuit electronic desk calculator utilizing Fairchild's
"µLogic" RTL (Resistor-Transistor Logic) family ICs
|
|
Sony applies with Japan's MITI for grant funding for development of "Pocket-Sized" Electronic Calculator
|
Apr
|
Masatoshi Shima joins Computer Division of Nippon Calculating Machine Co. as Computer Programmer
|
May
|
Sony Corp. issues Press Release Announcing the
ICC-500W Electronic Calculator. [15-May]
|
|
Hayakawa Electric (Sharp) applies to Japan's MITI (Ministry of International Trade and Industry) for grant to fund development of a miniature electronic calculator
|
|
Facit renews its agreement with Sharp for marketing of Sharp-made calculators
under the Facit brand after previous two-year agreement expires
|
|
North American Aviation and Rockwell-Standard Merge to form North American Rockwell
|
|
Data Acquisition Corp. purchased by Picker Nuclear
|
|
Chip maker Intersil founded by Jean Hoerni to develop ICs for electronic watches
|
|
Chip maker Electronic Arrays, Mountain View, California, founded originally as McMullen Associates
|
Jun
|
Tateisi Electronics Co., (Omron) begins secret development project to
create an electronic calculator within its R&D Department at direction
of Mr. Tateisi
|
Jun
|
First ever Consumer Electronics Show, New York
|
Jun
|
Uchida Yoko, Co., Ltd. introduces the USAC 10B
[Uchida Yoko's First Electronic Calculator]
|
Jun
|
Toshiba introduces its BC-1201 electronic calculator
|
Jun
|
Sony formally introduces the
SOBAX ICC-500
hybrid circuit electronic calculator
[Sony's First Marketed Electronic Calculator]
|
Jun
|
Sony introduces the
SOBAX ICC-400,
identical to the ICC-500,
omitting Sum-of-Products function key
|
Jul
|
Wang Laboratories begins publishing "The Wang Laboratories Programmer" magazine
|
|
David Shapiro leaves Mathatronics
|
|
North American Rockwell sets up facility for producing MOS integrated
circuits for military use (under Autonetics Division)
|
Jul
|
Wang Labs announces the
Model 370 programmer for the
300-Series calculator
|
Aug
|
Sharp introduces the
Compet 32 (CS-32A)
[14-Aug] [Sharp's first production use of Magnetic Core Memory and Bit-Serial Architecture]
|
Aug
|
Western Electronic Show & Convention (WESCON), Cow Palace, San Francisco, Californi [22-25 Aug]
|
Aug
|
SCM
introduces the
Cogito 566 PR, a rebadged
Diehl Combitron [24-Aug]
|
Aug
|
Wang Laboratories first publically demonstrates the 370 Programmer at
WESCON show
|
Aug
|
Wang Laboratories listed publically on the New York Stock Exchange
|
Sep
|
First shipment of
Sharp Compet 32
calculators to US market halted at request of Mitsubishi
over fears of Texas Instruments patent infringement litigation
|
Sep
|
Casio forms OEM relationship with Sperry Remington |
Oct
|
Show of Japanese Business Machines at Japanese Trade Center, Chicago, IL
[9-13 Oct]
|
Oct
|
9th Annual
BEMA (Business Equipment Manufacturers
Assoc.) Show, New York, NY [23-27 Oct]
|
Oct
|
Friden introduces the 1217 electromechanical printing calculator to the
US market
|
Oct
|
7th Annual Japan Business Machine Show, Tokyo, Japan [25-28 Oct]
|
|
Sumlock Comptometer adds Wanderer(Nixdorf) Conti electronic calculators
to their line of calculators
|
Oct
|
Masatoshi Shima transfers to Calculator Design Division of Nippon Calculating
Machine Co.
|
Oct
|
Casio AL-1000
transistorized calculator debuts
[Casio's First Programmable Electronic Calculator]
|
Nov
|
21st Annual NEREM show, Boston War Memorial Auditorium [1-3 Nov]
|
Nov
|
Cintra founded by Irwin Wunderman in his garage, manufacturing digital photonic measurement instruments
|
Nov
|
Nippon Columbia Co., Ltd. registers trade name "Denon"
|
Nov
|
Nippon Calculating Machine Co. introduces the
Busicom 141
transistorized calculator, a "downsized" version of the Busicom 161
|
Nov
|
Nippon Calculating Machine Co. (NCM) introduces the
Busicom 162(NCR 18-2) calculator,
which was eventually marketed in North America by NCR as the Model 18-2.
[NCM's First IC-Based Electronic Calculator]
|
Nov
|
Nippon Calculating Machine Co. introduces the
Busicom 202
CRT-display calculator
[Designed by Wyle Laboratories under contract to NCM]
|
|
Toshio Iue, Founder/CEO of Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd, steps down, relinquishes
CEO role to his brother, Yuro
|
Nov
|
Monroe/Litton Holds Sales Convention, Diplomat Hotel, Hollywood, Florida
[26-Nov to 1-Dec]
|
Dec
|
Hayakawa Electric (Sharp) introduces
Compet 16 (CS-16A)
[First use of MOS Integrated Circuits (small-scale integration) in Production Electronic Calculator]
|
1968
Jan
|
Sanyo announces entry into electronic calculator marketplace with three machines to debut in early spring
|
|
Sharp's Tadashi Sasaki arranges $40M Yen (~$110K US Dollars)
"secret" funding to Nippon Calculaing Machine Co. (Busicom)
|
Feb
|
Friden internally announces the
1150
printing calculator at MSRP of $1,495 [8-Feb]
|
Mar
|
Hewlett Packard 9100A formally announced
[HP's First Electronic Calculator, Revolutionary Capabilities] [11-Mar]
|
Mar
|
Hewlett Packard 9100 first shown to very limited audience at IEEE Conference in New York [March 18-21]
|
Mar
|
Dr. An Wang, CEO of Wang Laboratories, given sneak preview of HP 9100 At IEEE Conference in New York by Hewlett Packard founder, Bill Hewlett
|
Mar
|
Singer and General Precision agree in pricipal to merger deal [26-Mar]
|
Mar
|
Friden internally announces the
1151
programmable printing desktop calculator at MSRP of $1,795
|
Mar
|
Wang introduces
Model 380
programmer keyboard/display unit for
300-Series
calculators at New York IEEE Exposition [20-Mar]
|
Apr
|
ElectroTechnical Industries (ETI) established (not to be confused with Japan's Electrotechnical Laboratory) for Electronic Calculator development & manufacturing, associated wtih Nippon Calculating Machine Co. (Busicom) Tokyo, Japan
|
Apr
|
Canon Canola 161S and
Canola 163
calculator announced in Japan [1-Apr]
|
Apr
|
Burroughs signs
agreement with Hayakawa Electric (Sharp) for Sharp to design & manufacture calculators for Burroughs
|
Apr
|
Harold Koplow begins employment at Wang Laboatories as calculator application programmer (Wang 300-Series)
|
Apr
|
Agreement forged for Labor für Impulstechnik (LFI, later Nixdorf) to purchase business-machines division of Wanderer-Werke AG for 17.2M DM
|
Apr
|
Toshiba introduces its beautifully-styled BC-1412 electronic calculator
|
Apr
|
Sanyo introduces
ICC-141
and ICC-161 calculators using MOS shift register IC made by
Philco-Ford (formerly General Micro-electronics)
|
Apr
|
Sanyo introduces ICC-121 calculator
|
Apr
|
Wang Laboratories announces the 379-5 Output Writer, a modified IBM Selectric
typewriter used for programmed output from the 370 and 380 Programming Keyboards
|
May
|
Wang 362E
introduced
|
May
|
General Precision Equipment Co. and Singer Co. announce merger [10-May]
|
May
|
Casio introduces the
Casio 152
calculator
|
May
|
Tadashi Sasaki (Sharp) travels to US seeking IC house to manufacture LSI ICs for miniaturized electronic calculator
|
|
Tyco Laboratories, Inc. acquires magnetostrictive delay line manufacturer Digital Devices
|
|
Uchika Yoko becomes exclusive distributor of Seiko electronic calculators in Japanese market
|
|
David Takagishi joins Cintra as electronics engineer on design team for
the
Cintra 909
calculator
|
|
Computer Design Corp.
founded, spin-off of Wyle Laboratories Calculator Division
|
|
Broughton & Co. (Bristol) Ltd. and NCM/Busicom joint venture formed to market Busicom-brand calculating machines in US
|
|
Futaba Denshi begins manufacture of gas-discharge display devices
|
|
Facit AB builds a large new calculator factory in Sweden
|
|
Wang Labs rattled by rumor that Digital Equipment Corp. is working on developing a "Desk Calculator".
The "calculator" actually turned out to be the
PDP-11
16-bit mini-computer
|
May
|
Japanese Business Machine Show, Harumi Fairground, Tokyo (14 Manufacturers, 34 Models of electronic calculators)
|
May
|
Hayakawa Electric (Sharp) introduces the
Compet 50, Model CS-50A
Printing Electronic Calculator
[Sharp's first Printing Electronic Calculator]
|
Jun
|
Ray Holt & Steve Geller begin top secret development of CADC (Central Air Data Computer) using a MOS LSI chipset, for the new Navy F-14A "Tom Cat" Jet Fighter
|
|
Sharp introduces the
Compet 22
(Model CS-22A)
|
|
Dr. An Wang granted US Patent on logarithm-generating circuits initially used in Wang Labs' LOCI-1 and LOCI-2 electronic calculators
|
|
Hayakawa Electric (Sharp) and Rockwell/Autonetics (later, Rockwell Semiconductor) form LSI calculator chipset development
alliance
|
Jul
|
Tateisi Electronics Co., R&D department completes secret delveopment projecproducing a prototype electronic calculator designated as OMRAC 777
|
Jul
|
Compucorp
incorporated as business unit of Computer Design Corporation, with Elmer Easton(President),
Norman J. Grannis(VP), Roger Keenan(Finance), Kasper Terhorst(Director) and Cynthia Wells(Secretary) as principals [5-Jul]
|
Jul
|
Singer Corp. acquires General Precision Equipment Corp.
|
Jul
|
Bob Noyce and Gordon Moore incorporate "N M Electronics", the beginnings of Intel
|
Jul
|
Sony introduces the
SOBAX ICC-600
calculator
|
Jul
|
Canon
introduces
the Canola 161S and
Canola 163
calculators in USA
|
Jul
|
Wang Laboratories closes purchase of Philip Hankins, Inc. (PHI). Dave Moros from PHI instrumental in development
of future Wang Calculator architectures
|
Jul
|
Singer completes merger with Librascope, Inc.
|
Jul
|
Hitachi introduces the KK-22 (ELCA-22) calculator. Sold by Friden as the
Friden EC-1113
|
Jul
|
NCR signs
agreement
with Nippon Calculating Machine Co. for sale of Busicom-made calculators under NCR brand name
|
|
Brother Industries acquires UK-based Jones Sewing Machine Co.
|
|
Nippon Calculating Machine Co. creates Business Computer Corp., a.k.a. Busicom USA, for US market expansion
|
Aug
|
Hayakawa Electric (Sharp)
QT-8D
calculator debuts in Japan utilizing Rockwell-Autonetics made four chip LSI chipset
[First mass-market entirely MOS/LSI (Large Scale Integration) Electronic Calculator]
|
Aug
|
Western Electronic Show and Convention (WESCON), Los Angeles, CA [20-23 Aug]
|
Aug
|
NCM/Busicom introduces the
Model 162C
electronic calculator
|
Sep
|
Denon announces the
DEC-61A4
electronic calculator
[Denon's First Electronic Calculator]
|
Sep
|
Japanese Electronics Show, Tokyo, Japan [17-23 Sep]
|
Sep
|
Shinshu Seiki Co., Ltd. (later Epson) introduces the
EP-101
digital printer
|
Sep
|
Hewlett Packard 9100A documented in HP's corporate technology publication, the
Hewlett Packard Journal September, 1968
|
Sep
|
Wang Laboratories stock begins trading on the American Stock Exchange [10-Sep]
|
Oct
|
Labor für Impulstechnik (LFI) formally closes purchase of business machines division Wanderer-Werke AG [1-Oct]
|
Oct
|
Wang Laboratories introduces 360SE electronics package
[Last Wang 300-Series Calculator]
|
Oct
|
Computer Design Corp. [CDC] and Nippon Calculating Machine Co. [NCM] forge agreement for CDC to develop advanced calculators for NCM
|
|
Labor für Impulstechnik (LFI) renamed Nixdorf Computer AG
|
|
Tadashi Sasaki (Sharp) meets with Robert Noyce and Bob Graham (Intel) and Yoshio Kojima (NCM/Busicom)
|
|
Victor Comptometer acquires exclusive distribution rights from Nixdorf for sale of the Wanderer Conti as the Victor 1500
|
Nov
|
Tateisi Electronics Co. establishes trade name of Omron Tateisi Electronics Co.
|
Dec
|
Toshiba introduces its BC-1401 calculator
[Toshiba's First MOS IC-Based Calculator]
|
Dec
|
Uchida Yoko, Co., Ltd. introduces the USAC-22B electronic calculator
|
Dec
|
Passing of Kiyoshi Ichimura, Founder of Ricoh [16-Dec]
|
1969
|
Mostek opens for business in Worcester, Massachusetts
|
Jan
|
Singer Co. board of directors changes status of Friden, Inc. from fully-owned subsidiary to the Friden Division of Singer Co. [Jan 1]
|
Jan
|
MOS Technology, Inc. incorporated as spin-off of Allen-Bradley to second-source calculator ICs made by Texas Instruments [16-Jan]
|
Jan
|
Wang introduces 200-Series "business" calculators based on 300-Series machines
|
Jan
|
Sony introduces the ICC-500A, a cost-reduced version of the
ICC-500
|
Jan
|
Wang announces CP-2 Card Programmer for 200/300-Series calculators
|
Feb
|
Hugle Industries, Inc. establishes Japanese subsidiary Hugle Electronics, Inc. in Tokyo, Japan
|
Feb
|
U.S. Patent
3,430,095
granted to to Jack J. Bialik(7/20/1924-1/4/2010) &
Dale P. Masher(4/14/1929-3/30/2014) for Friden Calculator Display Concept
|
|
Hitachi New York, Ltd. renamed Hitachi America, Ltd.
|
|
and Bill W. Stevens, all
of SRI, for display subsystem developed for
Friden EC-130
electronic calculator [25-Feb]
|
Feb
|
The Singer Co. formally adopts a new logo for Friden, with a larger SINGER with "FRIDEN DIVISION" in smaller letters beneath
|
Feb
|
Friden announces market availability of the Hitachi-made Friden 1113
|
Feb
|
Wang 700 calculator announced, not actually available until early 1970
|
|
Massimo Rinaldi leaves IME for form new company building computer, Industria Sistemi Elettronici (INSEL), SpA, in Rome.
|
Feb
|
Busicom (ElectroTechnical Industries) introduces the Wyle Laboratories-designed Busicom 207 and 2017 punched-card programmable electronic calculators
|
Mar
|
North American Rockwell (Autonetics) receives $30M from Sharp for LSI Calculator IC Development
|
Mar
|
Wang Laboratories, Inc., acquires Medical Systems and Data Corp. of Boston, MA
|
|
Bob Cole(Fairchild) and Don Borror(GM-e/Philco Microelectonics) start up IC mask making & foundry Cartesian, Inc.
|
|
Union Carbide Electronics' MOS Devices Division(San Diego, CA) sold to Solitron Devices, Inc.
|
|
Amidst increasing competition, IME begins phasing out production of its electronic calculators, closes factory
|
|
R.ohm (Toyo Electronics Industry, Japan) begins development of Integrated Circuit
technology |
|
North American Philips Corp. formed as merger of Consolidated Electric Co., and North American Philips Co., Inc.
|
|
ISE Electronics licenses Vacuum Fluorescent Display technology to Futaba Denshi
|
Mar
|
Omron Tateisi Electronics Co. introduces prototype of the
Omron 1210
|
Mar
|
Hayakawa Electric (Sharp) QT-8D introduced in US at New York IEEE trade show
|
Apr
|
VEB Kombinat Robotron formed as a large conglomerate of German Office & Data Processing Companies [1-Apr]
|
Apr
|
General Digital Founded by Alvin Phillips (later Western Digital) [23-Apr]
|
Apr
|
First operating prototype of AMI-Fabricated MOS LSI Microprocessor Chipset for US Navy F-14A Tom Cat Fighter Jet Control System (CADC)
|
Apr
|
Provisional agreement between Intel and Nippon Calculating Machine Co. (NCM) signed for Intel to develop complex calculator chipset for NCM
|
Apr
|
SCM Cogito 414 electronic calculator introduced [23-Apr]
|
May
|
Sharp announces the Compet 361, Model CS-361), first of a series of Compet 361 electronic calculators [16-May]
|
May
|
Friden announces the Friden 1160 Electronic Calculator to its salesforce [20-May]
|
May
|
Wang introduces model 301 Column Printer for Wang 200/300-Series calculators
|
May
|
Uchida Yoko exits electronic calculator marketplace after only 2 years
|
May
|
Shinshu Seiki Co., Ltd. (later Epson) shows revolutionary EP-101 printer at 38th Business Show in Tokyo
|
May
|
Casio introduces the Casio 121-A/AS-A calculator
|
May
|
Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) Founded in Sunnyvale, CA
|
Jun
|
Barry Wright Corp. announces negotiations to sell Mathatronics division to a small investment group
|
Jun
|
Project to develop what is arguably the first MOS LSI Microprocessor Chipset (3-chip), the CADC (Central Air Data Computer), Fabricated by AMI, used in US Navy F-14A Tom Cat Fighter is completed
|
Jun
|
SCM Introduces the 1016PR Programmable Calculator, $2,495 [18-Jun]
|
Jun
|
Sony introduces the ICC-510 Electronic Calculator
|
|
Nippon Calculating Machine Co. forges secret agreement with Wyle Laboratories
for development of Large Scale Integration IC-based electronic calculator chipset (before engaging Intel)
|
Jun
|
The Friden division of Singer Co. announces it will build a new plant for electronic calculators in Albuquerque, NM
|
Jun
|
M. Shima, H. Masuda, and S. Takayama from Nippon Calculating Machine Co. visit Intel
|
|
concerning development of proposed printing calculator chipset MOS LSI ICs from Busicom logic design
|
Jun
|
Annual Consumer Electronics Show, New York Hilton Hotel [Jun 28-Jul 1]
|
Jul
|
Toshio Iue, founder of Sanyo, passes away [16-Jul]
|
Jul
|
Dictaphone Corp. announces entry into the electronic calculator business, marketing two calculators manufactured by Sanyo and badged as Dictaphone [29-Jul]
|
Aug
|
Sanyo reaches licensing agreement with General Instruments to import and later manufacture MOS LSI calculator ICs
|
Aug
|
Founding of Micro Instrumentation and Telemetry Systems (MITS) by Ed Roberts and three other partners
|
Aug
|
Hitachi introduces the KK-24 (ELKA-24) in Japan. OEM'd by Friden to become the Friden 1114
|
|
Sales of Casio electronic calculators passes 100,000 unit mark
|
|
Victor Comptometer sells its electronics division to Nixdorf Computer
|
Aug
|
WESCON trade show, San Francisco
|
Aug
|
Introduction of the Monroe 820 CRT-display electronic calculator
[Monroe's First IC-Based Calculator]
|
Aug
|
Shinshu Seiki Co., Ltd. (later Epson) shows EP-101 drum printer at WESCON show
|
|
Canon Camera Co., Inc. changes name to "Canon, Inc."
|
Sep
|
Masatoshi Shima(Nippon Calculating Machine Co./Busicom) returns to Intel concerning calculator chipset development
|
Sep
|
Intel engineers propose a single-chip general purpose CPU as an alternative to
|
|
Nippon Calculating Machine Co. complex multi-chip set for calculator chipset
|
Sep
|
Intel introduces its first static 256-bit MOS Random Access Memory IC, the 1101
|
Sep
|
Omron Tateisi Electronics Co. introduces production version of the
Omron 1210
[Omron's First Electronic Calculator]
|
|
William Kahn, Roy Reach (both founders) leave Mathatronics
|
Oct
|
Sony announces it will demonstrate its first programmable electronic
calculator, the SOBAX ICC-2500, at BEMA show [22-Oct]
|
Oct
|
11th Annual BEMA (Business Equipment Manufacturers Assoc.) show, New York, October 26-30
|
Oct
|
Sony introduces the ICC-610 calculator at BEMA show [26-Oct]
|
Oct
|
Sony formally introduces its first programmable calculator, the ICC-2500, at BEMA show [26-Oct]
|
Oct
|
Prototype Wang 700 Advanced Programming Calculator shown at BEMA show
|
Oct
|
Nippon Columbia (Denon) and Hitachi form strategic business alliance
|
Oct
|
Brother Procal 514 electronic calculator introduced
|
Oct
|
Hewlett Packard 9100B introduced
|
Oct
|
Barry Wright Corp. announces failure of deal to sell Mathatronics division to private investors
|
Oct
|
Canon and Texas Instruments enter into agreement involving development of "Miniature Electronic Calculators"
|
Oct
|
Nippon Calculating Machine Co. informally accepts Intel's single-chip CPU proposal for its new calculator concept
|
|
Fairchild introduces the first static RAM IC, the 4100, holding 256 bits
|
Nov
|
Sony introduces the SOBAX ICC-520 calculator
|
Nov
|
Matshushita Communication Industrial Co., Ltd. (later, Panasonic) introduces the National PANAC-12W electronic calculator
[Matsushita's First Electronic Calculator]
|
Nov
|
Friden introduces the Hitachi-manufactured Friden EC-1114 electronic calculator [5-Nov]
|
Nov
|
Hitachi introduces the KK-32 (ELKA-32) in Japan. OEM'd by Friden to become the Friden 1115
|
Nov
|
Hayakawa Electric (Sharp) establishes Sharp Electronics U.K. Ltd. in Manchester, U.K.
|
Nov
|
Sophisicated 909 Scientist electronic calculator announced by Cintra
[Cintra's First Electronic Calculator]
|
|
Commodore Business Machines moves corporate headquarters to Santa Clara, CA, from Toronto, Canada
|
Dec
|
Barry Wright Corp. closes down Mathatronics division [30-Dec]
|
Dec
|
M. Shima of Nippon Calculating Machine Co.(Busicom) submits instruction set
proposal
|
|
for what becomes the Intel 4004 microprocessor, returns to Japan from Intel visit
|
1970
Jan
|
Hayakawa Electric Co., Ltd., changes name to Sharp Corporation [1-Jan]
|
Jan
|
MITS (Micro Instrumentation and Telemetry Systems) Incorporated
|
Jan
|
Omron Tateisi Electronics Co. introduces the
Omron 1200
electronic calculator [21-Jan]
|
Jan
|
Denon introduces the DEC-411
electronic calculator
|
Jan
|
Ricoh Co, Ltd. founds Ricoh of America, a wholly-owned US subsidiary, located in New Jersey
|
Feb
|
Wang begins regular production of Wang 700-Series calculators
|
|
Futaba Denshi begins manufacture of Vacuum Fluorescent Display Devices
|
|
Oi Electric Co., Ltd. exits calculator market
|
Feb
|
Friden introduces the Hitachi-made Friden EC-1115 electronic calculator [4-Feb]
|
Feb
|
Formal agreement between Nippon Calculating Machine Co. (Busicom) and Intel for development of microprocessor for calculator application [6-Feb]
|
Feb
|
Wang Laboratories announces the Wang 3300 Timeshared Computer System
|
Mar
|
Busicom submits final instruction set specs to Intel for microprocessor chip
|
Mar
|
Wang formally introduces the Wang 720A/B Calculators
|
Mar
|
Sharp QT-8D begins sales in US
|
Apr
|
Federico Faggin hired away from Fairchild by Intel to work on "Busicom Project" (calculator chipset) for Nippon Calculating Machine Co. (Busicom)
|
Apr
|
M. Shima of Busicom returns to Intel to find progress calculator chipset
lagging behind his expectations. Joins development team and drives forward
progress [7-Apr]
|
Apr
|
LED (and later, calculator) manufacturer Litronix founded by George E. Smith and six associates
|
Apr
|
Friden begins customer deliveries of the Friden EC-1115 electronic calculator
|
Apr
|
Canon announces the Canon Pocketronic
|
Apr
|
Bill Hewlett and Barney Oliver gift a HP 9100 calculator to noted author Arthur C. Clarke
|
May
|
Nippon Calculating Machine Co. (Busicom) introduces
the Wyle Laboratories-designed 207P and
2017P
versions of the
May
|
Casio establishes its own US sales company, Casio, Inc., in New York
|
May
|
Sanyo announces the ICC-0082D "mini-calculator" with rechargeable NiCd battery and Nixie tube display using 4-chip LSI chipset made by General Instruments in US
|
May
|
Mostek's VP of Marketing visits Nippon Calculating Machine Co. concerning development of calculator on a chip
|
|
Hewlett Packard Corp. ordered to pay Olivetti $900,000 in royalties for
violation of Olivetti's
Programma 101
patents by HP 9100A/9100B calculators
|
|
AMI moves IC manufacturing facilities to Pocatello, Idaho
|
Jun
|
Denon introduces the DEC-521
electronic calculator
|
Jun
|
Canon begins sales of the Canon Pocketronic in the US
|
Jun
|
Wang introduces 100-Series calculators
|
Jul
|
North American Rockwell (NAR) spins NAR Microelectronics Inc. out of is Autonetics division
|
Aug
|
Friden introduces the Hitachi-made Friden EC-1116 electronic calculator [5-Aug]
|
|
Friden's new electronic calculator manufacturing plant in Albuquerque, NM up and running
|
Aug
|
Logic simulation of 4004 microprocessor completed, only one logic error found
|
Aug
|
Busicom announces prototype Model 141-DA using Japanese-produced LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) [Never went to production]
|
Aug
|
WESCON Trade Show, Los Angeles, CA [25-28 Aug]
|
|
Monroe signs OEM agreement with
Computer Design Corp. to market calculators
designed and built by Computer Design Corporation
|
Sep
|
Sony Corporation shares listed on New York Stock Exchange
|
Sep
|
Casio publically traded on secondary market of Tokyo Stock Exchange
|
|
Intel produces the first 1K-bit dynamic RAM IC, the 1103
|
Oct
|
Matsushita introduces the National PANAC-1202 (JE-202) for sale in Japan
|
Oct
|
Canon Pocketronic
begins sales in US
[First LSI "Handheld", Rechargeable Battery Powered, Printing Calculator. TI Cal-Tech was the prototype
|
Nov
|
Busicom's Masatoshi Shima returns to Japan after working with Intel to design what becomes the 4004 microprocessor
|
Nov
|
Electronic Arrays
announces
six-chip calculator (S-100) chipset for $158.46
[First Generally Available Calculator Chipset]
|
Nov
|
Hewlett Packard begins design of HP-35 Handheld Scientific calculator
|
Nov
|
Mostek successfully tests first "calculator on a chip" IC developed for Busicom
|
Nov
|
International Calculating Machines (ICM) founded as subsidiary of Electronic Arrays
|
Nov
|
The Canon L-121 is
introduced
[Canon's First MOS LSI-based Calculator]
|
Nov
|
Casio 121-B/AS-B calculator introduced
|
Dec
|
U.S. Patent 3,546,676 granted to Robert Ragen of Friden, for design of Friden EC-130
|
Dec
|
Wang Laboratories common stock begins trading on the New York Stock Exchange
|
|
Industrial Research Magazine names the Cintra 909 as one of its "IR 100" most innovative products of 1970
|
1971
Jan
|
Hewlett Packard introduces instrumentation system for 9100A and
9100B calculators
|
Jan
|
Mostek begins volume production of "Calculator on a Chip", the MK6010, developed for Nippon Calculating Machine Co. (NCM), A.K.A. Busicom
[First Single-Chip Calculator IC]
|
Jan
|
Sanyo introduces redesign of the ICC-0081D calculator using 7-Segment Gas-discharge Display tubes instead of Nixie tubes
|
Jan
|
Sanyo introduces the ICC-0082 calculator with built-in power supply/charger versus external power pack of ICC-0081D
|
Jan
|
Sharp EL-8 introduced
|
Jan
|
Victor Comptometer internally declares the Victor 14-321 and Victor 14-322 electronic calculators obsolete
|
Jan
|
Busicom completes breadboard prototype of printing calculator based on logic design of Intel's proposed microprocessor
|
Jan
|
Busicom introduces first "pocket" calculator using Mostek MK6010 single-chip calculator IC (Busicom "Handy" LE-120A)
|
|
Intel begins pilot production of 4004 microprocessor and peripheral chips for Busicom
|
Jan
|
Wang announces 500-Series calculators
|
Feb
|
First operating Intel 4004 microprocessor
|
Feb
|
Philco-Ford announces shutdown of microelectronics division
|
|
International Calculating Machines introduces the
ICM 816 calculator using the
Electronics Arrays S-100
six-chip calculator chipset
|
|
Busicom uses TTL SSI/MSI implementation of 4004 logic to create prototype printing calculator
|
Feb
|
Canon Pocketronic begins sales in US
|
Feb
|
Sharp EL-8 begins sales in US
|
Mar
|
Michael Cochran Leaves Cintra to join Texas Instruments
|
Mar
|
Nippon Columbia (Denon) and Hitachi dissolve business partnership
|
Mar
|
Wang Labs delivers first 3300 Time Shared Computer System (Weymouth South High School, Weymouth, MA)
|
|
Remains of Mathatronics liquidated
|
|
Victor 1800-Series calculators introduced
|
|
Muldivo goes out of business
|
|
Compucorp division of Computer Design Corp. formed
|
|
Hewlett Packard 9810A introduced
|
Apr
|
Busicom receives first production 4004 and support chips from Intel use in building prototype printing calculator
|
Apr
|
First operating prototype of Busicom printing calculator using 4004 microprocessor
[Became Busicom 141-PF]
|
May
|
Introduction of the Omron 800 calculator
[New Low Price Benchmark for AC-Powered Desktop]
|
|
SCM introduces the Marchant I (also known as the F-80) battery-operated portable Nixie Tube display calculator utilizing 2-chip AMI-manufactured LSI chipset
|
May
|
Busicom begins sale of LE-120A calculator using Mostek's
Single-Chip calculator IC
[First Handheld, Single-Chip Calculator, LED-Display Calculator]
|
May
|
Intel and Busicom Corp. renegotiate 4004 Microprocessor contract
|
May
|
Casio introduces the Casio AS-C
|
May
|
Tektronix announces purchase of Cintra, Inc. from Physics International [7-May]
|
May
|
Jack Murdock, co-founder of Tektronix,
passes away in mishap with his seaplane [16-May]
|
Jun
|
Sharp begins sale of the EL-8M, follow-on to the EL-8 which adds memory function
|
Jun
|
Wang Laboratories announces the 700C and 720C calculators
|
Jun
|
Wang Laboratories announces the 708 Memory Expansion Controller for 700-Series calculators
|
Jun
|
Wang Laboratories announces 709 Dual Cassette Drive peripheral for the 700-Series calculators
|
|
Sankyo Seiki Mfg. Co., Ltd. begins production of SANAC magnetic card reader/writer device
|
|
General Digital changes name to Western Digital
|
Jul
|
Purchase of Cintra, Inc. by Tektronix is completed
|
Jul
|
Micheal Cochran validates proper function of first TMS-100 microcontroller-based calculator chip [4-Jul]
|
Jul
|
Tektronix announces the rebadged Cintra 909 and 911 calculators as the Tektronix 909 and Tektronix 911
|
Aug
|
Tektronix announces price reduction and upgraded memory in Tek 909 and 911 calculators
|
Aug
|
Hugle Electronics, Inc., Established in Tokyo, Japan as part of US Hugle Industries, Inc.
|
Aug
|
AMI announces agreement to acquire majority interest in desktop calculator distributor Unicom Systems, Inc. of Cupertino, CA
|
Sep
|
Texas Instruments announces the TMS1802, TI's First "Calculator on a Chip" [17-Sep]
|
Sep
|
Masatoshi Shima leaves Busicom to work for Ricoh
|
Sep
|
Intel successfully negotiates removal of exclusive sales agreement with Busicom on Intel 4004
|
Sep
|
Omron inks $2M contract with Nortec Electronics Corp. for development of MOS/LSI chipset for low-cost "personal" calculators
|
Sep
|
Casio AS-8A introduced
|
Sep
|
Sony introduces the Sobax ICC-88 Rechargeable Portable Calculator using Electronic Arrays chipset
|
Sep
|
AMI completes acquisition of calculator distributor Unicom Systems, Inc.
|
Sep
|
Bowmar/Ali, Inc. ships their first pocket-sized calculator, the 901B, utilizing TI calculator-on-a-chip
|
Oct
|
Busicom introduces the Model 141PF printing desktop calculator
[First calculator to utilize single-chip microprocessor (Intel 4004)]
|
Nov
|
Masatoshi Shima Leaves Ricoh to go to work for Intel at request of Bob Noyce
|
Nov
|
Popular Electronics publishes article introducing MITS' $179 calculator kit, the MITS 816, based on Electronic Arrays chipset
|
Nov
|
Intel announces general sales of 4004 microprocessor [15-Nov]
|
Dec
|
Wang Laboratories announces Wang 600-Series calculators
|
|
Total number of electronic calculators in Soviet Union (USSR): 45,000
|
1972
Jan
|
General Electric closes down its integrated circuit business
|
Jan
|
Hewlett Packard introduces the revolutionary HP-35 handheld scientific calculator
[World's First Handheld Scientific Electronic calculator]
|
Feb
|
Rapid Data Systems & Equipment, Ltd. introduces the Rapidman 800 pocket calculator
|
Feb
|
Wang Labs announces SWAP calculator user group (implementation in June '72)
|
Feb
|
Wang Labs announces Model 711 I/O Writer
|
Feb
|
Casio fx-1 introduced
[Casio's first scientific electronic calculator]
|
Apr
|
Varadyne, Inc. spins off Veradyne Systems unit which manufacturers electronic calculator equipment
|
Apr
|
Texas Instruments opens calculator manufacturing plant in Fort Walton Beach, Florida
|
Apr
|
Intel announces the 8008 microprocessor chip, based on 1201 microprocessor developed for Computer Terminal Corp.
|
Apr
|
Commodore Business Machines provides guarantee of bank loan for Varadyne Systems, Inc.
|
Apr
|
Commodore Business Machines obtains option to acquire 75-90% of Varadyne Systems, Inc. from Varadyne, Inc.
|
|
Facit AB begins large scale layoffs as calculator business suffers major losses
|
|
Diehl Corp. ends production of electromechanical calculators
|
May
|
Casio AS-8D Introduced
|
Jun
|
Wang Laboratories implements "SWAP" (Soceity for Wang Applications and Programs) User Group
|
Jun
|
MITS Model 1440 calculator introduced in Radio-Electronics> magazine
|
|
Hewlett Packard 9820A introduced
|
|
Hewlett Packard 9830A introduced
[First desktop calculator to use the BASIC computer programming language]
|
|
Production of Curta calculators ends
|
Aug
|
Casio Mini
introduced
[New Low Price Benchmark for Four Function Handheld]
|
Aug
|
Intel introduces the 8008 Microprocessor [24-Aug]
[Intel's Second Microprocessor]
|
Aug
|
Rockwell Microelectronics introduces the PPS-4 microprocessor
[Rockwell's First Microprocessor]
|
Aug
|
Sharp EL-801 handheld calculator introduced
[First use of CMOS calculator on a chip made by Toshiba]
|
|
Rockwell International acquires Sumlock Anita Electronics Ltd. and Sumlock Comptometer |
Sep
|
Rockwell International acquires Unicom Systems, Inc. from American Microsystems (AMI)
|
Sep
|
Texas Instruments announces entry into the electronic calculator marketplace with the TI-2500, TI 3000, and TI 3500 calculators. [20-Sep]
|
|
Facit AB and subsdiary Addo AB acquired by consumer and industrial products conglomerate
Electrolux
|
|
Wang 400-Series calculators introduced
|
1973
Feb
|
Hewlett Packard HP-80 introduced
[First Financial Handheld]
|
Feb
|
Casio introduces the Casio "Mini", Model CM-601
|
Mar
|
MITS 7440 calculator introduced in Radio Electronics magazine
|
|
Business Equipment Manufacturers Association (BEMA) becomes CBEMA, adding computer manufacturers to the mix
|
|
North American Rockwell and Rockwell Manufacturing merge to form Rockwell International
|
May
|
Hewlett Packard markets, through Japanese subsidiary Yokogawa Hewlett-Packard,
a ROM block for the HP 9810 calulator that prints in Japanese Katakana character set
|
May
|
Sharp introduces the Elsi Mate EL-805 [15-May]
 [First Battery-Powered "Pocket" Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) Calculator]
|
May
|
Sony announces its exit from electronic calculator market [31-May]
|
May
|
Hewlett Packard HP-46 introduced
|
May
|
Wang Laboratories begins shipping the 2200 "personal computer"
|
May
|
Computer Design Corp. (Compucorp) Introduces the 324 Scientist and 344 Statistician "portable microcomputers" (Compucorp's term)
|
May
|
Hewlett Packard HP-45 handheld calculator introduced
|
Jul
|
Sony terminates manufacture of electronic calculators [31-Jul]
|
Aug
|
Tektronix Model 21 and 31 calculators introduced. Model 21 priced at $1,850, and Model 31
at $2,850 [2-Aug]
|
Dec
|
Hewlett Packard announces the 9821A calculator for $4,975 in base form
|
|
Japan's combined output of electronic calculators exceeds ten million units for the year 1973
|
1974
Jan
|
Hewlett Packard HP-65 introduced
[First Programmable Handheld Electronic Calculator]
|
Feb
|
Singer/Friden announces the 1202 and 1203 calculators
|
Feb
|
Nippon Calculating Machine Co. (Busicom) files for bankruptcy
|
Feb
|
Tektronix Model 21 and Model 31 calculators launched in UK
|
Mar
|
Tektronix announces the
31/53 Instrumentation System
based on its
Model 31 Calculator
|
Apr
|
Intel introduces the 8080 microprocessor
|
Jun
|
U.S. Patent 3,819,921 granted to Texas Instruments' Jack Kilby & team for TI Cal-Tech calculator
|
|
Computer Design Corp. (Compucorp) sells 24% share of voting stock to Litton Industries (Monroe)
|
Jul
|
Litton Industries loans Computer Design Corp. (Compucorp) $1M
|
Aug
|
Tektronix announces Model 152 BCD Interface for Model 31 calculator |
Aug
|
Computer Design Corporation (Compcorp) reaches exclusivity
agreement with Monroe division of Litton Industries [2-Aug]
|
|
Total sales of Casio electronic calculators passes ten million unit mark
|
|
Broughton & Co. (Bristol) Ltd. purchases rights to the "Busicom" brand name from Nippon Calculating Machine Co.
|
|
Motorola introduces the 6800 microprocessor
|
|
Nippon Calculating Machine Co. and Busicom Corp. cease operations after bankruptcy
|
|
The remains of CDS Technology, Inc, (MOS Technology) revitalized with arrival of four ex-Motorola senior engineers and investors
|
|
National Cash Register Co. changes name to "NCR Corp."
|
|
Computer Design Corp. (Compucorp) shuts down its dealer/distributor network and OEM agreements
|
1975
Jan
|
Texas Instruments shutters Fort Walton Beach, Florida calculator plant, citing economic conditions [10-Jan]
|
Jan
|
MOS Technology, Inc. renamed to CDS Technology, Inc.
|
Feb
|
Rockwell announces intention to shut down calculator subsidiary Unicom Systems, Inc [1-Feb]
|
Feb
|
Bowmar Instrument Corp. files for Chapter XI bankruptcy [10-Feb]
|
Mar
|
Aquisition of Signetics by Philips announced
|
Apr
|
Bill Gates & Paul Allen found Micro-soft [4-Apr]
|
|
Hugle International declared bankrupt
|
|
Remains of Computer Design Corp. absorbed into Monroe International division of Litton Industries
|
May
|
Tektronix announces the Model E-31 Calculator (reduced cost version of the Model 31)
|
Jun
|
Acquisition of Signetics by Philips via US Philips Trust Corp. completed
|
Jun
|
Bowmar terminates production of calculators
|
Jun
|
Shinshu Seiki Co., Ltd. launches the Epson brand name
|
Jun
|
Canon introduces the SX-310 programmable calculator
|
Jul
|
CDS Technology, Inc (formerly MOS Technology Inc.) dissolved [9-Jul]
|
|
Singer Business Machines division shut down
|
|
Facit AB subsidiary of Electrolux closes its US calculator production unit, Lago Calc, Inc. in Canoga Park, CA
|
|
Tektronix shuts down calculator business unit
|
Dec
|
Texas Instruments' Cal-Tech calculator accepted for exhibit by the Smithsonian Institution
|
1976
Jan
|
Victor Comptometer introduces the Victor 4900 Advanced Programmable Calculator
|
Jan
|
Rockwell International begins phaseout of Sumlock Anita division in UK
|
Feb
|
Hewlett Packard announces HP 9825A calculator
|
|
Friden closes down electronic calculator plant in Albuquerque, NM
|
|
Facit AB begins phaseout of direct sales force for Office Products
|
|
Facit AB closes office product production factory in Gothenburg, Sweden
|
|
Monroe Division of Litton Industries ceases business relationship with Computer Design Corp.
|
|
Texas Instruments announces the SR-60 calculator
|
Oct
|
Computer Design Corp. announces bankruptcy filing [22-Oct]
|
Dec
|
Singer closes down Friden Division, marking the official end of Friden
|
1977
Mar
|
Agreement reached between Victor Comptometer Corp. and Walter Kidde Co. for Kidde to acquire Victor
|
|
Hewlett Packard introduces the revolutionary HP-01 Wrist Instrument
[First wrist-worn calculator/watch/calendar/stopwatch]
|
Jun
|
Rockwell International exits the calculator business
|
|
Facit(Electrolux) exits the calculator business
|
|
MITS sold to Pertec Computer Corporation
|
Oct
|
Texas Instruments introduces the SR-60A programmable calculator
|
|
Victor United spins off business machines division as "Victor Business Products"
|
1978
|
Commodore quits producing calculators
|
|
Dr. Ge Yao Chu, Senior VP and Board Member, Retires from Wang Laboratories
|
Jun
|
Nippon Electric Co., Ltd. (NEC) announces intent to acquire California-based chipmaker Electronic Arrays, Inc. for approx. $8.6M [16-Jun]
|
Oct
|
Willard Rockwell, founder of what became Rockwell International, passes away [16-Oct]
|
Dec
|
Sale of Electronic Arrays to NEC completed
|
1979
|
Mostek purchased by United Technologies Corp.
|
|
R.ohm (Toyo Electronics Industry) changes name to ROHM
|
|
Fairchild Camera & Instrument purchased by French company, Schlumberger Limited, for $425M
|
|
Willard Rockwell, founder of what became Rockwell International, passes away
|
Dec
|
Hewlett Packard announces the HP-85 desktop computer
|
|
Tokyo Shibaura Electric Co., Ltd. formally changes name to Toshiba
|
1980
|
Sales of Casio electronic calculators exceeds 100-million unit mark
|
|
Compucorp rejects $1/share bid by Savin Corp. to acquire the company
|
Jun
|
Tokuji Hayakawa, founder of Sharp Corp., passes away [24-Jun]
|
|
Monroe International changes name to Monroe Systems for Business
|
Oct
|
Compucorp introduces "Correct'n'Spell" Wordprocessing System, $13,000
|
Dec
|
Rapid Data Systems & Equipment dissolved [16-Dec]
|
1981
Jan
|
MOS Technology Inc. formally acquired by Commodore Business Machines as Commodore Semiconductor Group [1-Jan]
|
|
Financier Bernard Katz acquires majority ownership of Compucorp
|
Mar
|
Heinz Nixdorf, founder of Nixdorf Computer AG, passes away
|
May
|
Dr. Stanley P. Frankel, Manhattan Project physicist, and later designer of the SCM/Marchant Cogito 240SR and the prototype of the Diehl Combitron, passes away [May 2]
|
1982
Jul
|
Harold Koplow leaves Wang Laboratories over disagreements with President Fred Wang
|
|
Victor United & Victor Business Products rejoined, now called "Victor Technologies"
|
|
Dr. An Wang retires from active management of Wang Laboratories
|
1983
|
Harold Koplow joins computer manufacturer Modular Computer Systems, Inc. (MODCOMP) as VP of Research & Development
|
|
Nippon Electric Co., Ltd. officially renamed "NEC Corporation"
|
|
TI files complaint with US Intl. Trade Commission concerning importation of inexpensive off-shore calculators as violation of Tariff and Patent Law
|
Sep
|
Compucorp announces plan to purchase 80% stake in Monroe division of Litton Business Systems
|
1984
Jan
|
Jack Tramiel leaves Commodore, citing "personal reasons" for his departure
|
Jan
|
Compucorp announces abandonment of plans to purchase majority ownership of Monroe Systems for Business Division of Litton Industries
|
Jul
|
US Intl. Trade Commission initiates investigation of TI claim of import tariff/patent violation by off-shore (Japan) calculator manufacturers
|
Aug
|
Compucorp announces promotion of Norman Grannis to Executive VP and COO
|
|
Tokyo Shibaura Electric Co., Ltd. changes name to Toshiba Corp.
|
|
Litton Industries sells Monroe Systems for Business division to Jeffry Picower
|
Dec
|
Elmer R. Easton steps down as President and CEO of Compucorp
|
Dec
|
William M. Duke succeeds Elmer Easton as President and CEO of Compucorp
|
1985
Jan
|
Bernard B. Katz invests $1M in Compucorp, assumes board Vice Chairman of the Board title
|
|
Olympia Werke AG is renamed Olympia Aktiengesellschaft
|
Mar
|
Elmer R. Easton resigns as Chairman of the Board of Compucorp to pursue other business interests
|
|
Dr. An Wang (CEO/President of Wang Laboratories) holds secret discussions with ITT regarding possible merger
|
Jun
|
US Intl. Trade Commission rules no violation of tariff or patent law relating to Texas Instruments' complaint filed in late 1983
|
Jun
|
Bernard B. Katz resigns from board of directors of Compucorp citing potential conflict of interest
|
Jul
|
John F. Cunningham resigns as President of Wang Laboratories [19-Jul]
|
|
Harold Koplow(after leaving MODCOMP) and Dave Moros, both formerly of Wang Laboratories recruited to Computer Consoles, Inc.
|
Sep
|
Bernard B. Katz elected Chairman of the Board of Compucorp (only months after having resigned as a director)
|
Sep
|
Norman Grannis promoted to President and CEO of Compucorp, replacing William Duke
|
Oct
|
United Technologies announces intent to close down Mostek Corp. subsidiary [17-Oct]
|
1986
Mar
|
Passing of Heinz Nixdorf due to heart attack suffered at the CeBit Trade Show [17-Mar]
|
|
Fairchild Semiconductor purchased by National Semiconductor from Schlumberger
|
Jun
|
Transitron Electronics Corp. announces it is going out of business [29-Jun]
|
|
Elmer R. Easton, former President of Computer Design Corp., founds Three D Graphics Inc.
|
Sep
|
Burroughs Corp. and Sperry Corp. merge to form Unisys Corp.
|
Nov
|
Dr. An Wang steps down of President of Wang Laboratories
|
Nov
|
Dr. An Wang's son, Frederick, named President of Wang Laboratories [19-Nov]
|
|
Bell Punch Co., Ltd. ceases business
|
1987
|
SGS Thomson purchases chipmaker Mostek
|
|
Schlumberger sells Fairchild to National Semiconductor for $200M
|
1988
|
Tadao Kashio steps down as President of Casio
|
Oct
|
Curt Herzstark,
inventor of Curta calculator, passes away [27-Oct]
|
1989
Apr
|
Kōnosuke Matsushita, founder of Matsushita/Panasonic, passes away at age 94 [27-Apr]
|
Aug
|
Frederick Wang, son of founder of Wang Laboratories, Dr. An Wang, resigns as President of Wang Labs [8-Aug]
|
Aug
|
Dr. William B. Shockley, co-inventor of transistor, passes away at age 79 [12-Aug]
|
1990
|
Siemens acquires majority equity in Nixdorf Computer Inc., to form Siemens Nixdorf Informationsystems AG
|
Mar
|
Dr. An Wang, founder of Wang Laboratories, passes away due to complications from esophageal cancer [24-Mar]
|
Jun
|
Robert Noyce, semiconductor technology luminary, passes away at age 62
|
1991
Jan
|
Founder of Omron Tateisi Electronics, Kazuma Tateisi, Passes Away at 90 Years of Age [12-Jan]
|
|
NCR Corp. acquired by AT&T
|
Mar
|
Dr. Julius J. Muray, Vice President of Cintra, passes away [28-Mar]
|
1992
Aug
|
Wang Laboratories files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, 5,000 jobs to be eliminated [18-Aug]
|
1993
Mar
|
Tadao Kashio, co-founder of Casio, passes away at age 75 [4-Mar]
|
Sep
|
Wang Laboratories emerges from Chapter 11 Bankruptcy reorganization [20-Sep]
|
1994
Mar
|
Commodore's stock falls to $0.75/share, NYSE halts trading of the company's shares
|
Apr
|
Commodore Business Machines announces closure and liquidation of the company [29-Apr]
|
Apr
|
Commodore Semiconductor Group survives closure of parent company through purchase by its management
|
1995
Jan
|
George Robert Stibitz, father of relay computing, passes away [31-Jan]
|
Apr
|
Remains of Commodore Business Machines sold to ESCOM, a German computer manufacturer
|
Nov
|
Passing of Bernard (Barney) Oliver, founding director of HP Laboratories,
and project leader for HP's first calculators, the
HP 9100s and HP-35 calculator, among other notable achievements. [23-Nov]
|
Dec
|
Konrad Zuse, electronic computer pioneer, passes away [18-Dec]
|
1996
Mar
|
David Packard, co-founder of Hewlett Packard, passes away [26-Mar]
|
|
Federico Faggin donates the original prototype for the Busicom 141-PF
calculator, the first to use a single-chip microprocessor, to the
Computer History Museum
in Mt. View, California
|
1997
|
The Old Calculator Museum first appears on the World Wide Web as a Geocities site
|
|
Fairchild Semiconductor, an independent venture, founded in Portland, Maine
|
Mar
|
National Semiconductor sells its Standard Products Group (created from parts of the "old" Fairchild Camara & Instrument) to newly-formed Fairchild Semiconductor for $550M
|
May
|
Logicon, Inc. acquired by Northrup Grumman for $750M [5-May]
|
Aug
|
William S. Burroughs passes away [2-Aug]
|
Dec
|
Masaru Ibuka, co-founder of Sony, passes away at age 89 [19-Dec]
|
1998
Mar
|
Wang Laboratories acquires Olivetti's Computer Services Division, Olsy, SpA, for $391M, Wang Labs now "Wang Global"
|
Facit AB, after numerous breakups and ownership changes, ceases to exist
|
Sep
|
Public announcement of formerly secret CADC Microprocessor Chipset used
in F-14 Tomcat Jet Fighter via article in the Wall Steet Journal [22-Sep]
|
|
Monroe Systems for Business sells off copier, fax, and shredder businesses to Savin, to focus business purely on calculators
|
1999
|
Wang Global (formerly Wang Laboratories) acquired by Dutch company Getronics
|
|
Tsugio Makimoto, GM of Hitachi's Semiconductor Division, leaves Hitachi to join Sony Corp.
|
Oct
|
Akio Morita, co-founder of Sony, passes away at age 78 [3-Oct]
|
2000
Mar
|
William Burkhart, prolific calculating machine designer at Monroe Calculating Machine Co., passes away
|
|
Atsushi Asada, key calculator engineer in the early days of Hayakawa Electric (Sharp) electronic calculators, joins board of directors of Nintendo
|
Sep
|
David Moros, Wang 700 hardware architect and co-inventor of Wang Labs' first Word Processor, passes away from cancer at age 64 [27-Sep]
|
Dec
|
Litton Industries and Northrop Grumman announce buyout of Litton for ~$5.1 billion dollars
|
2001
Jan
|
Bill Hewlett, co-founder of Hewlett Packard, passes away [12-Jan]
|
Apr
|
Northrop Grumman announces completion of purchase of Litton Industries [3-Apr]
|
|
Monroe Systems for Business becomes privately-owned, with HQ in Bristol, PA
|
Sep
|
John P. Stedman, once VP and Director of Operations at Mathatronics, passes away at age 83 [26-Sep]
|
2002
Jan
|
Pier Giorgio Perotto, project leader and architect of the amazing Olivetti Programma 101, passes away at age of 71 [22-Jan]
|
2003
May
|
Matsushita announces it will globally unify its consumer products under
the Panasonic brand name
|
Oct
|
William B. Hugle, Founder of Hugle International and Siliconix among others, passes away at age 76 [14-Oct]
|
Dec
|
Howard Z. Bogert, calculator designer and LSI IC designer, passes away at age 68 [28-Dec]
|
2004
Nov
|
Harold Koplow, developer of microcode for the
Wang 700-Series calculators,
and later, development of Wang's breakthrough word processing and small
office computing systems, passes away at age 64 [4-Nov]
|
2005
Jun
|
Eiichi Goto, developer of the Parametron , passes away [12-Jun]
|
|
Atsushi Asada(Sharp) retires, leaves position as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Nintendo
|
Jun
|
Jack Kilby, inventor of the first Integrated Circuit, and leader in the
design of the
"Cal-Tech"
calculator at Texas Instruments, passes away at age 81
|
Jul
|
Dr. Irwin Wunderman, founder of Cintra, visionary behind development of the
Cintra
909 and 911 calculators, and
noted theoretical mathemetician and physicist, passes away at age 74 [July 27]
|
Jul
|
Hiro Moriyasu, involved
in the formation of the Tektronix calculator division with the acquisition
of Cintra, passes away at age 70. [July 31]
|
Dec
|
Sales of Casio electronic calculators passes 1-billion unit mark
|
Dec
|
Sharp Corporation presented with prestigious "IEEE Milestone in Engineering
and Computing"
|
2006
May
|
Benjamin Friedman, founder of Solitron Devices, Inc. passes away at age 84 [10-May]
|
2007
Nov
|
Tektronix, Inc. acquired by Daniher Corporation
|
Dec
|
AMI Semiconductor acquired by On Semiconductor for approximately $915M in stock
|
2008
Jan
|
Karl Diehl, son of Diehl Group founders, passes away at age of 100. [19-Jan]
|
Nov
|
Panasonic and Sanyo annnounce agreement in principle for Panasonic to acquire majority stake in Sanyo [2-Nov]
|
2009
Apr
|
Hewlett Packard awarded the "IEEE Milestone in Engineering
and Computing" award for the company's development of the
HP-35 calculator, the first handheld scientific electronic calculator
|
Jun
|
Don Farina, MOS IC pioneer at Fairchild, General Micro-electronics and others, passes away at age 78 [11-Jun]
|
Aug
|
Massimo Rinaldi, calculator designer and founder of IME, passes away [16-Aug]
|
Nov
|
Matsushita and Sanyo begin talks relating to Matsushita acquiring Sanyo [3-Nov]
|
Dec
|
Panasonic acquires majority (50.2%) stake in Sanyo with $4.5 billion investment [21-Dec]
|
2010
Mar
|
Passing of Jack J. Bialik, project leader at Stanford Research Institute for
development of CRT display system for Friden calculator [1-Mar]
|
Apr
|
Dr. H. Edward Roberts, founder of MITS, passes away at age 68 [1-Apr]
|
Jul
|
Panasonic announces that it will acquire all remaining shares of Sanyo, making it a wholly-owned subsidiary of Panasonic
|
Sep
|
Frank Wanlass, CMOS IC Inventor, passes away at 77 years of age
|
2011
Apr
|
Sanyo Electric Co. becomes wholly-owned subsidiary of Panasonic [1-Apr]
|
Aug
|
Dr. Ge Yao (G.Y.) Chu, co-founder with Dr. An Wang of Wang Laboratories, passes away at age 93 [4-Aug]
|
2012
Mar
|
Passing of Mark Pivovonski, age 88, co-inventor of the Monroe
EPIC 2000/
EPIC 3000 calculators, as well
as one of the engineers involved in development of early Monrobot-series computers [11-Mar]
|
2014
Oct
|
Howard Rathbun, co-inventor of the Monroe
EPIC 2000/
EPIC 3000 calculators,
passes away at age 82 [23-Oct]
|
2016
Mar
|
Broughton & Co. (Bristol) Ltd. principals file Striking Off (Dissolution) Application for the Company [11-Mar]
|
Oct
|
Paul G. Allen, Co-Founder of Microsoft, Passes Away at Age 65 [15-Oct]
|
Aug
|
Broughton & Co. (Bristol) Ltd. Ceases Operations, ending legacy of Busicom brand name [16-Aug]
|
2017
Jan
|
Robert H. Norman, Fairchild Gang-of-Eight Member, GM-e Co-Founder, Nortec Electronics founder, MOS IS Design Genius, Passes away at age 89 [21-Jan]
|
Apr
|
Jack Tramiel, founder of Commodore, passes away at age 83 [8-Apr]
|
2018
Dec
|
Passing of Michael J. Cochran, extraordinary calculator engineer at HP, Cintra, and Texas Instruments [2-Dec] |
2019
Mar
|
The Old Calculator Museum's exhibit of Wang Laboratories' line of electronic
calculators presented at the 2nd annual Vintage
Computer Festival-Pacific Northwest held at the
Living Computer Museum+Labs in Seattle, WA wins the "Most Interesting Presentation" award. [24-Mar]
|
2020
Feb
|
Katherine Johnson, noted NASA computer(mathematician), passes away at age 101. [24-Feb]
|