The personal computer industry began in 1977, when Apple, Radio Shack and Commodore introduced off-the-shelf computers as consumer products. Known as the "1977 Trinity," the Apple II, Radio Shack ...

Babbage's next idea is the Analytical Engine - a mechanical computer that can solve any mathematical problem. It uses punch-cards similar to those used by the Jacquard loom and can perform simple ...

Bill Gates and Paul Allen form Traf-O-Data in 1971 to sell their computer traffic-analysis systems. 1972: Gary Kildall writes PL/M, the first high-level programming language for the Intel ...