Tuesday, January 31, 2023

Timeline of Computer History in University of Waterloo

by Ayoung Eun
  1. 1960
    1. Jan
      1. IBM_610
        First computer, the IBM 610

        • is acquired for use by both undergraduate and graduate students.
  2. 1966
    1. Jan
      1. IBM_360/75
        The IBM 360/75, Canada's largest computer, is acquired

        • Later to be housed in the infamous Red Room, the computer cost about $8,000,000 while the entire Math and Computing (MC) building cost about $5,000,000!
  3. 1974
    1. Jan
      1. Ribbit
        Waterloo computing beats World Chess Champion

        • Ribbit, a UW program written by CS students, wins the Canadian and the ACM US Computer Chess Championships and ties for 2nd in the World Championship.
        • The Waterloo Foundation for the Advancement of Computing (WATFAC) is formed by Wes Graham (Chair), Don Cowan, and Paul Dirksen as a charitable organization for the promotion of computing.

  4. 1979
    1. Jan
      1. Development in motion

        • Waterloo Basic Enterprises, UW's first software spin-off company, is formed.
        • Waterloo Pascal is developed by Dave Boswell, Mike Carmody and Trevor Grove and used in CS240.
  5. 1980
    1. Jan
      1. waterloo_maple
        Waterloo develops software

        • Waterloo Maple, a computer algebra system, is developed by Keith Geddes and Gaston Gonnet.
        • MicroWAT, developed by CSG, debuts. It influences the design of early microcomputers including NABU PC and Commodore's SuperPET.
        • Microcomputers are introduced in undergraduate education.
  6. 2005
    1. Jan
      1. David-R-Cheriton-School
        Start of David R. Cheriton School of Computer Science

        • School of Computer Science is renamed the David R. Cheriton School of Computer Science in recognition of David Cheriton's gift of $25,000,000.
        • Frank Tompa is recognized by UW and the City of Waterloo: a street is named "Frank Tompa Drive".
        • IBM Centers for Advanced Studies honours 90 Canadian Pioneers in Computing. Twenty-seven of these pioneers are UW professors, former professors, or alumni.
        • Don Cowan receives Grand Cross of Scientific Merit, Brazilian National Order of Scientific Merit (Brazil's highest civilian scientific honour).