History of Computers - IBM

IBM is one of the largest companies in the world today. IBM manufactures computers and sells computer hardware and software, as well as offering infrastructure, hosting, and consulting services.

Overview

IBM originated as CTR in 1911. The name International Business Machines was adopted in 1924. This name had been previously given to CTR's subsidiary in Canada. IBM has also received the nickname Big Blue for its product brand. IBM hold the most patents of any US based technology company. During the 1920s and 1930s, most of the research done at IBM was focused on upgrading the punch card system and the Electronic Tabulating machine. In 1944, the Mark I was completed. It was the first machine that could execute long computations automatically and marks IBM's first steps towards computing. IBM also developed the Vacuum tube multiplier, an important development in the computer industry's march from electromechanical to electronic machines. By using vacuum tubes in calculators, engineers were able to process information thousands of times faster than previously possible. In 1957, the IBM 305 Random Access Method of Accounting and Control (RAMAC), the first computer with a hard disk storage system, was created. FORTRAN was also introduced by IBM in 1957. The first commercial "chain" printer, the IBM 1403 printer was invented in 1959. Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM), the main type of RAM in computers, was invented in 1966. The floppy disk was invented in 1967. Other notable inventions by IBM include the magnetic stripe card in 1960, the SABRE airline reservation system in 1960, the ATM in 1972, and Watson, the AI computer system made famous by its cameo on Jeopardy, in 2011. In 1980, they bought the design for the PC-DOS, an operating system, from Microsoft for $50,000 and created a partnership with Microsoft, though this agreement was soon broken off.

Significance

IBM is one of the largest computer hardware and software manufacturers today. It is also important for the many inventions the company has contributed to the history of computers. IBM holds the most patents out of any other US based tech company and in 2014, IBM generated $25 billions in revenue, growing 16% from the previous year. As of 2016, IBM is calculated to have a total assets value of 117.47 Billion with about 380,000 employees.

Links

http://www.ibm-1401.info/Highlights-of-IBM-History.html http://www.hereintown.com/southburyalliance/time_line.htm