Technology has been a driving force in shaping the world we live in today. From the first computer mouse to the latest smartphones, technology has evolved significantly over the years. Here are ten fascinating facts about technology that you probably didn't know:
1. The first computer mouse was made of wood
Invented by Douglas Engelbart in 1963, the first computer mouse was called the "X-Y Position Indicator for a Display System." It was made of wood and had only one button.
2. The first smartphone was created in 1992 by IBM
IBM created the first smartphone called "Simon." It could make calls, send faxes, and had a touch screen. However, it wasn't commercially successful.
3. The first website was created in 1991 by Tim Berners-Lee
The first website was hosted on a NeXT computer at CERN and was dedicated to information about the World Wide Web project.
4. The first camera phone was released in 2000 by Sharp
The J-SH04 was the first camera phone and had a 0.1 megapixel camera. Today's smartphones have significantly better cameras, with some models boasting up to 108 megapixels.
5. The first video game was created in 1958
William Higinbotham, a physicist, created the first video game called "Tennis for Two." It was played on an oscilloscope.
6. The first computer virus was created in 1986 by two Pakistani brothers
Basit and Amjad Farooq Alvi created the first computer virus called the "Brain" virus. It infected the boot sector of floppy disks.
7. The first GPS satellite was launched in 1978 by the United States military
The first GPS satellite called "Navstar 1" was launched by the United States military. It was part of a constellation of satellites that allowed for global positioning.
8. The first 1 gigabyte hard drive was created in 1980 by IBM
The first 1 gigabyte hard drive weighed over 500 pounds and was the size of a refrigerator.
9. The first email was sent in 1971 by Ray Tomlinson
Ray Tomlinson, a computer engineer, sent the first email to himself as a test. He used the @ symbol to separate the username from the computer name.
10. The first Apple computer was sold for $666.66
The first Apple computer, called the Apple I, was sold for $666.66. It was sold as a kit that required the user to assemble it themselves.
Today, we use technology in our everyday lives, from our smartphones to our laptops. We may take it for granted, but it's important to remember the pioneers who made it all possible. These ten fascinating facts about technology are just a small glimpse into the world of technology and its evolution over the years.