A computer without a keyboard seems pointless today, right? But believe it or not, this week back in 1956 was the first time a keyboard replaced dials, switches and punch cards.
The Whirlwind was a revolutionary computer developed at MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology). It was the first computer to use magnetic core memory, which paved the way for modern computer memory technology.
But that’s not all – the Whirlwind was also the first computer that allowed people to enter commands via a keyboard. Before the Whirlwind, computers were programmed using punch cards, which were slow and labour-intensive. With the Whirlwind, people could type in commands just like they would on a typewriter.
This might seem like a small thing, but it was a huge step forward for computing as we know it. The Whirlwind made it possible for people to interact with computers in a way that was intuitive and user-friendly. It also helped to pave the way for the development of modern programming languages like COBOL and FORTRAN.
Of course, typing in commands on the Whirlwind wasn’t as easy as it is today. The computer had no monitor, so users had to input commands blindly and wait for the results. But it was a huge improvement over punch cards, and it set the stage for the development of modern user interfaces.
So the next time you type something into your computer or device, take a moment to appreciate the pioneers who made it all possible. Using your iPhone wouldn’t be so quick with punch cards…
#TechHistory #KeyboardsAndComputers #AFirst