Tech Milestones, Good

The first CD-ROM was invented in 1984 by James T. Russell. Russell loved music and began getting frustrated at his vinyl phonograph records when they would get damaged. He also did not like the sound quality traditional records gave.  This was the start of the development process of the CD-ROM. He wanted a system that could record and replay sound. The best way he thought to create this idea was to use light. The first digital-to-optical recording and playback system was successfully invented in the 1970’s. He continued to perfect his invention and adapt it to new forms of data. There were a few investors interested in Russell’s work. Eventually Sony and other audio companies realized the implications and purchased licenses. In 1985 Russell earned 26 patents for the CD-ROM.

Russell’s invention helped shape our ability to record and playback music and store files.

References,

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (1999). The Digital Compact Disc. Retrieved on July 19^th, 2012 from http://web.mit.edu/invent/iow/russell.html

 

Tech Milestones, Fail

The Apple Lisa was the first personal computer to use a graphic user interface. The Lisa was released on January 1983. It cost Apple millions of dollars to create the hardware and software used on this computer. Only about 10,000 units were ever sold. In 1984 Lisa 2 was released with a 3.5" drive instead of the two 5.25". Lisa 2 was price at about $10,000 dollars shelf price. A year later Lisa 2 was renamed Macintosh XL. In 1986 Lisa, Lisa 2 and the Macintosh XL line was scrapped. A lot of people say the high price tag, delays and release date lead to the demise of the Lisa; however, the new Macintosh did quite well and lead the way to the future of computers.

References,

Mary Bellis. Inventors of the Modern Computer. Retrieved on July 19^th, 2012 from http://inventors.about.com/library/weekly/aa043099.htm