The Events

The Predictions

1800s

(1833) Charles Babbage proposed the Analytical Engine.

 1900

1930

1940

(1937) Alan Turing published a paper that provided a formal definition of a general purpose computing machine.

 1940

(1943) T.J. Watson Sr. (CEO of IBM) predicted that only 5 computers would be needed for the entire country.

 1945

(1946) ENIAC, first general purpose computer, dedicated.

(1947) Transistor invented.

(1949) EDSAC, first stored program computer went into operation.

 1950

(1950) Alan Turing predicted that a computer could pass the Turing Test in about fifty years.

 1955

(1956) At the Dartmouth conference, the term "artificial intelligence" was coined.

 1960

1965

1970

1975

(1997) Ken Olsen, CEO of Digital, predicted there would be no use for home computers.

1980

1985

1990

1995

2000