Timeline of American Technological Progress by ZANE HAMPTON

1983: The Internet

3600651 — 2024-03-06 18:15:42 UTC

Developed as ARPANET by the United States Department of Defense, the Internet originated as a military project to enable computer networking across great distances. It has since evolved into a global communication tool, changing how information is accessed and shared.

1981: The First Space Shuttle Launch

3600651 — 2024-03-06 18:15:42 UTC

NASA's Space Shuttle Columbia paved the way for reusable spacecraft, significantly reducing the cost of space exploration. This marked a new era in space travel, demonstrating the United States' continued leadership in space technology.

2021: Mars Rover Perseverance Landing

3600651 — 2024-03-06 18:15:43 UTC

NASA's Perseverance rover successfully landed on Mars, embarking on a mission to search for signs of ancient life and collect samples. This landmark achievement underscores the United States' ongoing commitment to exploring and understanding our solar system.

1946: Cars/Mobile phones

3600651 — 2024-03-07 15:38:38 UTC

Cars became more popular in the 20th century, with most Americans owning one. It was a great source of transportation at that time. The telephone was great for communication, and were used in households and corporate buildings.

1950 - 1956: Artificial Intelligence

3600651 — 2024-03-07 15:50:27 UTC

A computer scientist named Arthur Samuel developed a program to play checkers, which is the first to ever learn the game independently.

1954: Joseph Engelberger and Unimation

3600651 — 2024-03-07 16:07:01 UTC

Joseph F. Engelberger, an American physicist, engineer, and businessman, was responsible for the birth of one the most important and impactful industries, gaining him global recognition as the Father of Robotics.

1965: “Early Bird” Communication Satellite

3600651 — 2024-03-07 16:09:42 UTC

Intelsat I was the first commercial communications satellite to be placed in geosynchronous orbit, on April 6, 1965.

1966 - 1972: Charles Rosen and “Shakey”

3600651 — 2024-03-07 16:12:05 UTC

Shakey was the first mobile robot with enough artificial intelligence to navigate on its own through a set of rooms.

1967: Outsourcing - Morton Meyerson

3600651 — 2024-03-07 16:16:29 UTC

Electronic Data Systems' Morton H. Meyerson (a man destined to be a CEO with a name like that) proposed outsourcing as a business model in 1967. However, the practice only became a formal business strategy in 1989.

1971: Personal Computer

3600651 — 2024-03-07 16:19:49 UTC

The Kenbak-1, released in early 1971, is the world's first personal computer. It was designed and invented by John Blankenbaker of Kenbak Corporation in 1970, and was first sold in early 1971.

1971: MRI - Paul Lauterbur

3600651 — 2024-03-07 16:21:37 UTC

Professor Paul C. Lauterbur is known for his ground breaking research in the Department of Chemistry at Stony Brook University that led to the invention of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

1973: Global Positioning System

3600651 — 2024-03-07 16:23:56 UTC

In 1973, the Defense Department combined its competing satellite navigation systems. The new joint program under the Air Force was called the NAVSTAR Global Positioning System.

1977: Voyager 1

3600651 — 2024-03-07 16:27:18 UTC

Voyager 1 was launched from NASA's Kennedy Space Center and traveled to explore the outer planets.

1983: Online College ex. Electronic University Network founded

3600651 — 2024-03-07 16:30:00 UTC

In 1983, Ron Gordon started the Electronic University Network as part of TeleLearning Systems, Inc. If you had a computer, you could purchase an enrollment package and take courses for real college credit.

1990: Hubble telescope

3600651 — 2024-03-07 16:33:43 UTC

the Hubble Space Telescope First conceived in the 1940s and initially called the Large Space Telescope, the Hubble Space Telescope took decades of planning and research before it launched on April 24, 1990.

1992: Smartphones

3600651 — 2024-03-07 16:37:47 UTC

In 1992, IBM announced the very first smartphone. It released the Simon Personal Communicator for purchase in 1994. Additionally, it had the ability to send and receive emails.

2002: Roomba

3600651 — 2024-03-07 16:39:22 UTC

In September 2002, the company introduced the first Roomba model. Less than three years later, iRobot was selling a million units a year.