History of computing

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History of computing

The evolution of computing has been marked by a series of groundbreaking innovations, beginning with the "Mother of all Demos" in 1968 by Douglas Engelbart, which introduced the world to the mouse, graphical user interface (GUI), video conferencing, and more, laying the foundation for future computing paradigms. This was followed by the development of the personal computer (PC) in the 1970s, revolutionizing computing by making it accessible to individuals and small businesses. The introduction of the Internet in the 1980s transformed the way information is shared and accessed, leading to an explosion of digital content and connectivity. The 1990s saw the advent of the World Wide Web, further democratizing access to information and leading to the dot-com boom. The early 2000s were defined by the emergence of mobile computing, with smartphones bringing the power of a computer into the palm of our hands, and the launch of cloud computing, which allowed for the storage and processing of data over the Internet, providing scalability and flexibility previously unimaginable. Today, we stand at the brink of a new era with devices like the Vision Pro, which integrate augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and artificial intelligence (AI) to create immersive, intelligent, and highly personalized computing experiences. This journey from the "Mother of all Demos" to today's cutting-edge technologies showcases the relentless pace of innovation in computing, each step building on the last to create a world where digital and physical realities are increasingly intertwined.