Historical Events tagged with "technology"

Turns out history loves a label—battles, breakthroughs, and the occasional disaster, all neatly tagged for your browsing pleasure. Because sometimes you just need every weird invention in one place.

Space Exploration

Galileo Spacecraft Second Earth Flyby

December 8th, 1992 32 years ago

The Galileo spacecraft executed its second flyby of Earth, harnessing the planet's gravitational pull to increase its trajectory toward Jupiter. Initially launched in 1989, this maneuver was critical for Galileo's journey through the solar system. During this encounter, it captured valuable scientific data and images, which furthered our understanding of the planet's atmosphere and surface. The flyby showcased the advancements in spacecraft navigation and the efficacy of gravitational assists in space exploration. This mission played a significant role in paving the way for future explorations of the outer planets.

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Technology & Innovation

First SMS Sent via Vodafone Network

December 3rd, 1992 32 years ago

A test engineer at Sema Group, Neil Papworth, used a personal computer to send the world's first SMS to a colleague's mobile phone. This groundbreaking communication took place over the Vodafone network, marking a significant milestone in mobile technology. The message simply read 'Merry Christmas,' demonstrating the potential of text-based communication on mobile devices.

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Science & Technology

IBM Simon: The First Smartphone Unveiled

November 23rd, 1992 32 years ago

The IBM Simon, recognized as the first smartphone, was unveiled at COMDEX in Las Vegas, Nevada. This groundbreaking device combined a mobile phone with the features of a PDA, allowing users to make phone calls, send emails, and manage contacts. The Simon was notable for its touch screen and built-in applications, including a calendar and address book. Despite its large size and limited battery life, it garnered attention for its innovative approach to mobile communication.

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Space Exploration

Space Shuttle Columbia STS-52 Launch

October 22nd, 1992 32 years ago

Space Shuttle Columbia launched on mission STS-52, deploying the LAGEOS-2 satellite and conducting various microgravity experiments. The launch took place from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, aiming to advance satellite technology and scientific research in space.

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Space Exploration

NASA launches Mars Observer spacecraft.

September 25th, 1992 32 years ago

NASA successfully launched the Mars Observer spacecraft from Cape Canaveral, Florida. The probe was designed to study the Martian atmosphere, surface, and geology. Aimed at providing valuable data for future exploration, it carried a suite of scientific instruments. Eleven months after launch, while preparing for its orbital insertion, communication was lost and the mission ended abruptly.

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Space Exploration

Launch of Atlantis on STS-46 Mission

July 31st, 1992 32 years ago

Space Shuttle Atlantis launched for STS-46 to deploy the European Retrievable Carrier (ERC) and the Tethered Satellite System (TSS) from Kennedy Space Center, Florida. This mission aimed to conduct tests in space technologies and explore the potential of tether systems in orbit. The mission uniquely featured a demonstration of a tethered satellite that was used to examine various Earth atmospheric phenomena and other scientific data.

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Technology & Innovation

Michelangelo Virus Starts Infecting Computers

March 6th, 1992 33 years ago

The Michelangelo computer virus began affecting computers globally, primarily targeting PCs running DOS. Discovered in late 1991, this virus was set to activate on March 6, causing widespread panic among users. Many feared data loss, prompting urgent action by system administrators and software developers to mitigate the threats posed by this malicious software. Initial reports indicated that the virus was distributed via infected floppy disks and shared between systems, highlighting vulnerabilities in digital security protocols of the time.

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Science & Technology

Release of Linux Kernel Version 0.01

September 17th, 1991 33 years ago

The first version of the Linux kernel, 0.01, was released by Linus Torvalds to the Internet. This initial release marked the beginning of a significant open-source project, aimed at creating a free Unix-like operating system alternative. The kernel was made available to developers and enthusiasts who wanted to modify and improve it. This first version contained the essential functionalities necessary for basic operation and was distributed over idealistic bulletin board systems (BBS) and the Internet, attracting interest among programmers worldwide.

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Science & Technology

Linus Torvalds introduces first Linux kernel

August 25th, 1991 33 years ago

Linus Torvalds announced the initial release of Linux, a free operating system kernel, on a newsgroup dedicated to the Minix system. This announcement described his work as a hobby and invited contributions from developers, sparking interest worldwide. Torvalds shared the kernel's features and encouraged users to test it and provide feedback, laying the foundation for what would become one of the most significant open-source projects.

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