RFID

Radio Frequency IDentification (RFID) was developed during World War II. RFID transponders placed on an aircraft would give the appropriate response to an interrogating signal so that friendly aircraft could be distinguished from enemy aircraft. Today, RFID technology is being used in many applications including meds tracking, people and animal tracking, toll collections, and inventory control.
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The Lisa Computer

Apple Computer announces the Lisa Computer in 1983. The Lisa is named after Steve Jobs' daughter, however Lisa officially stands for Logical Integrated Software Architecture. The Lisa's significance in computing history is that it is the first commercial computer with a GUI and mouse designed for the mass market. Although critically acclaimed, the Lisa generates relatively low sales numbers due to its $10,000 price tag.
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The History of Computers

A floating-point division bug is discovered in Intel's Pentium chip by University of Kentucky math professor Thomas Nicely in November 1994. The story circulates through the media leading attorney generals in eight states to file liability suits against Intel causing a public relations disaster for the company. Intel's first-ever chip recall results in a $475 million charge against company earnings.
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Computer science

"Computer science is not as old as physics; it lags by a couple of hundred years. However, this does not mean that there is significantly less on the computer scientist's plate than on the physicist's: younger it may be, but it has had a far more intense upbringing!" - Physicist Richard Feynman.
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Spammer files suit

Cyber Promotions files a lawsuit against America Online (AOL) in November 1996. The suit comes about as AOL blocks undeliverable junk e-mail generated by Cyber Promotions. The spammer files suit in U.S. district court and argues that it has a right to send junk e-mail and that AOL had no right to restrict its ability to send junk e-mail. The District Court rules in AOL’s favor in two separate decisions.
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Inkjet printers

IBM invents the first inkjet-based printer in 1976. It takes twenty years of research and incremental developments including Siemens "drop-on-demand" inkjet technology, HP's "thermal" technology, and Epson's "piezo-electric" technology to overcome the challenges of producing a practical and affordable commercial inkjet product. Hewlett Packard releases the first personal inkjet printer in 1988.
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The Cathedral and the Bazaar

Eric S. Raymond publishes his essay "The Cathedral and the Bazaar" in 1997. Based on his observations of the software industry and his own software management experiences, Raymond describes his "Bazaar" model for software development as the basis of Open Source Software. The paper is published as part of a book in 1999 and becomes the manifesto of the Open Source Software movement.
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