1984 Computing & Technology Events — Verified Historical Highlights
1984 Computing & Technology Events — Verified Historical Highlights | TakeMeBack.to
- 05 Jan Richard Stallman begins work on the GNU Project: On January 5, 1984, Richard Stallman resigned from his position at the MIT Artificial Intelligence Laboratory to dedicate himself fully to the development of the GNU Project, a free software initiative he had announced in September 1983. This project aimed to create a free, Unix-compatible operating system, marking a significant milestone in the free software movement. source: gnu.org
- 24 Jan Steve Jobs introduces the Macintosh Personal Computer: On January 24, 1984, Steve Jobs unveiled the first Macintosh Personal Computer at Apple's annual shareholders meeting in Cupertino, California. The Macintosh featured a graphical user interface and a mouse, marking a significant advancement in personal computing. Jobs introduced the computer by pulling it from a bag and demonstrating its capabilities, including word processing and graphics. The event was a pivotal moment in technology history. source: macrumors.com
- 29 Mar USSR nuclear test in Kazakhstan: On March 29, 1984, the Soviet Union conducted a nuclear test at the Semipalatinsk Test Site in Kazakhstan. This test was part of the USSR's ongoing nuclear weapons program during the Cold War. The event raised international concerns regarding nuclear proliferation and environmental impacts. source: armscontrol.org
- 21 May Atari 7800 ProSystem console released: On May 21, 1984, Atari released the Atari 7800 ProSystem, a video game console designed to be backward compatible with Atari 2600 games. The console featured improved graphics and sound capabilities, aiming to compete with other home gaming systems of the era. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 28 Jun Motorola introduces 16-MHz 68020 processor: On June 28, 1984, Motorola unveiled the 16-MHz 68020 processor, a 32-bit version of the 68000 series. This processor featured CMOS technology, on-board cache, and an estimated performance of 2-3 MIPS, priced at US$487 each. source: todaysflashback.com
- 18 Sep Joe Kittinger's Atlantic Balloon Crossing: On September 18, 1984, Joseph Kittinger completed the first solo balloon crossing of the Atlantic Ocean. He launched from Caribou, Maine, on September 14 and landed on September 18, covering a distance of 5,703.03 kilometers in the 106,000 cubic foot Balloon of Peace. source: en.wikipedia.org
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