Today in Tech History – August 19

1839 – At a crowded meeting of the Paris Academy of Sciences Louis Daguerre demonstrated the process of making photos called daguerreotypes.

1906 – Philo Farnsworth was born on Indian Creek in Beaver Country, Utah. He would grow up to inspire the beloved professor character on Futurama. He also gets credit for inventing the first completely electronic television.

1934 – Computer Pioneer Gordon Bell Born

           Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC) innovator Gordon Bell is born. In his 23 years at DEC, Bell developed several of the company’s most successful minicomputers as well as its well-known VAX machine.

One the world’s top computer architects, Bell is considered by many to be the father of the minicomputer and is also an authority on supercomputing. The author of several books, Bell’s awards include the National Medal of Technology and the IEEE Von Neumann Model.

Gordon and Gwen Bell are co-founders of The Computer History Museum.

2003 – Sobig. F Virus Discovered

           The Sobig. F virus was first discovered on this day. 24 hours later, it took down many a network by sending out emails with subject like – “Re Approve,” “Re Details,” “Re: Re: My details,” “Re: Thank you!” “Re: That movie,” “Re: Wicked screensaver,” “Re: Your application,” “Your details.” This first version was found in January of 2003.

Dave Winer posted an experiment with RSS enclosures. It allowed subscribers with the right aggregator to have an MP3 of an interview Chris Lydon did delivered with no click-wait. This would lead to Christopher Lydon becoming the first podcaster before it was called podcasting.

2004 – Google’s IPO

           Google holds its initial Public Offering (IPO) selling over 22 million shares at a starting price of $85. Google shares closed that day at $100.34 and the IPO created many instant millionaires and a few billionaires.  

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