- The first computer programmer was Ada Lovelace in the 1800s.
- The first electronic computer, ENIAC, was completed in 1945.
- The term “bug” in computing was popularized by Grace Hopper after a moth was found in a computer.
- The first hard drive was created by IBM in 1956 and could hold 5 MB of data.
- The world’s first website, created by Tim Berners-Lee, went live in 1991.
- The first computer virus, Creeper, was created in the early 1970s.
- The first video game, Pong, was released in 1972.
- The first laptop computer was the Osborne 1, released in 1981.
- The average computer user checks their email 15 times a day.
- There are more than 1.5 billion computers in use worldwide.
- The first computer mouse was made of wood and invented by Douglas Engelbart in 1964.
- The first search engine was Archie, created in 1990.
- The first 1 GHz processor was released by Intel in 2000.
- The world’s fastest supercomputer as of 2021 is Fugaku, located in Japan.
- The first smartphone, IBM’s Simon, was released in 1994.
- TCP/IP, the foundation of the internet, was developed in the 1970s.
- The first version of Microsoft Windows was released in 1985.
- The first computer to beat a human in chess was Deep Blue, in 1997.
- The first 3D computer graphics were created in the 1960s.
- The first computer to use a graphical user interface was Xerox Alto in 1973.
- Python, a popular programming language, was created by Guido van Rossum in 1991.
- The first computer program to simulate a game of chess was developed in 1951.
- The first email was sent by Ray Tomlinson in 1971.
- The original name of Windows was “Interface Manager.”
- The first computer to be sold commercially was the UNIVAC I in 1951.
- The first web browser, WorldWideWeb, was created by Tim Berners-Lee.
- The first computer animation was created in 1960 by a group at Bell Labs.
- The first commercially successful personal computer was the Apple II, launched in 1977.
- The first mobile phone call was made in 1973 on a Motorola device.
- HTML, the standard markup language for web pages, was created in 1993.
- The first computer to use a keyboard was the 1964 IBM System/360.
- The first computer-generated feature film was “Toy Story,” released in 1995.
- The first computer to simulate a human brain was created in 2014.
- There are over 7 billion internet-connected devices worldwide.
- The first successful computer virus for PCs was called Brain and appeared in 1986.
- The first online auction site was AuctionWeb, which later became eBay in 1995.
- The first digital camera was invented in 1975 by Kodak.
- The first computer to use a hard disk drive was the IBM 305 RAMAC in 1956.
- The first computer to use a mouse was the 1968 Xerox Alto.
- The first computer language, Fortran, was developed in the 1950s.
- The first computer to run a web server was the NeXT computer.
- The first smartphone app was a calendar application for the IBM Simon.
- The first computer to successfully run a virus was a Mac in 1987.
- The first computer science degree was awarded in 1970.
- The largest data center in the world is located in Langfang, China.
- The first successful online payment system was PayPal, launched in 1998.
- The first computer game to feature a scrolling screen was “Defender,” released in 1981.
- The first computer to use multitasking was the MIT Compatible Time-Sharing System.
- The first computer to use a floppy disk drive was the IBM 5110 in 1975.
- The first website to offer free email was Hotmail in 1996.
- The first computer to use a touch screen was the IBM Simon.
- The first computer to use a graphical operating system was the Apple Macintosh in 1984.
- The first computer to use a solid-state drive was the IBM ThinkPad.
- The first computer to run on batteries was the 1981 Osborne 1.
- The first computer to use a CD-ROM was the Apple Macintosh.
- The first computer to use a laser printer was the Xerox 9700.
- The first computer language to support object-oriented programming was Smalltalk in 1972.
- The first computer to simulate a weather model was developed in the 1950s.
- The first computer to use a network was the ARPANET in 1969.
- The first computer to use a color monitor was the Commodore 64.
- The first computer to connect to the internet was the University of California, Los Angeles in 1969.
- The first computer to use a wireless network was the 1999 Apple iBook.
- The first computer to run on solar power was developed in 2002.
- The first computer to use a touchscreen interface was the 1982 Xerox Star.
- The first computer to run a web browser was the NeXT computer in 1990.
- The first computer to use a solid-state drive as primary storage was the 2011 MacBook Air.
- The first computer to use a USB port was the 1996 Apple iMac.
- The first computer to use a dual-core processor was the Intel Pentium D in 2005.
- The first computer to use a 64-bit processor was the AMD Opteron in 2003.
- The first computer to run on artificial intelligence was developed in the 1950s.
- The first computer to use a high-definition display was the Apple Retina Display in 2012.
- The first computer to use a virtual reality headset was the 1995 Virtuality
Whether you’re a seasoned techie or just starting to explore the digital world, understanding facts about computers can enhance your appreciation for these incredible machines. Computers have evolved dramatically since their inception, and grasping some key facts can deepen your knowledge.
For instance, did you know that the first electronic computer, ENIAC, was built in the 1940s? It took up an entire room and weighed over 27 tons, showcasing just how far technology has come.
When you think about the speed of modern computers, it’s astounding. Today’s devices can perform billions of calculations per second, thanks to advanced processors. In fact, the processing power of today’s laptops and desktops often dwarfs that of early supercomputers, making them accessible for everyday tasks like browsing the web or playing games.
You might be surprised to learn that the computer you’re using right now likely has more computing power than the machines that helped land astronauts on the moon.
Another interesting fact is that computers communicate using binary code, which consists of only two digits: 0 and 1. Everything you see on your screen—text, images, videos—gets translated into this binary format, allowing computers to process and display information. This fundamental concept is what makes programming and software development possible, enabling you to run applications that simplify tasks in your daily life.
You probably also use different types of computers without even realizing it. From desktops and laptops to smartphones and tablets, each device serves a unique purpose while relying on similar underlying technology. The versatility of computers means they can adapt to various needs, whether you’re working, gaming, or staying connected with friends and family.
Finally, as you immerse yourself in the world of computers, remember that their impact on society is immense. They’ve transformed how we communicate, learn, and work, making the digital landscape an integral part of your life. Understanding these facts not only informs you about your devices but also about the world around you.