Charles Babbage’s 1822 Difference Engine: The Foundation of Modern Computing
Learn how Charles Babbage's 1822 Difference Engine laid the groundwork for automated calculation and modern computing.
Read moreThe History of Computing. Day by Day.
Discover the key moments, people, technologies and ideas that shaped the digital world.
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6
Sep
2000
RSA becomes free
On September 6, 2000, RSA Security stopped enforcing its RSA patent against third-party implementations, two weeks before the patent was due to expire.
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IT History: A Timeline of Innovation
Every event, person, and turning point in the archive, laid out in one continuous span — from the first mechanical calculators to today.
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Linux: A Timeline of Freedom
Linux began as one student’s side project and grew into the foundation of the modern Internet. Follow its story from Linus Torvalds’ first announcement in 1991 through GNU, the kernel releases, Red Hat, Debian, Ubuntu and Android to containers, cloud computing and today’s infrastructure — a timeline of the people, ideas and communities that built Linux.
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Microsoft Introduces .NET, C#, and Visual Studio .NET at PDC
On July 11, 2000, Microsoft announced the .NET platform, C#, Visual Studio .NET, and the CLR at PDC, shaping future software development.
Read moreRSA becomes free
On September 6, 2000, RSA Security stopped enforcing its RSA patent against third-party implementations, two weeks before the patent was due to expire.
Sony PlayStation 2 Launch: How It Changed Gaming Forever
Explore the impact of the PS2's release on March 4, 2000, from its innovative features to its legacy in gaming and home entertainment.
Read moreThe Birth of XHTML: How the Web Became More Structured in 2000
Discover how XHTML's 2000 release aimed to bring structure and predictability to web coding, influencing HTML5 and modern web standards.
Read moreThe Dot-Com Bubble Peak: March 10, 2000 & Its Market Collapse
Explore the peak of the dot-com bubble on March 10, 2000, and learn how internet hype led to a historic market crash and lasting tech industry impacts.
Read moreThe ILOVEYOU Virus of 2000: How a Simple Email Caused Global Chaos
Discover how the ILOVEYOU virus of 2000 spread rapidly, causing billions in damages and transforming email security practices worldwide.
Read moreHow Bram Cohen Introduced the BitTorrent Protocol in 2001
In 2001, Bram Cohen announced the BitTorrent protocol, enabling decentralized file sharing through swarms and transforming large file distribution on the Internet.
Read moreHow the 'Anna Kournikova' Worm Spread via Email
In 2001, the Anna Kournikova worm exploited curiosity and trust to spread rapidly, highlighting social engineering in cybersecurity.
Read moreHow the 2003 Launch of iTunes Music Store Reshaped Digital Music Forever
Discover how the 2003 launch of iTunes Music Store revolutionized digital music sales, making music more accessible and changing the industry landscape.
Read moreNetscape's Closure and the Creation of Mozilla Foundation
On July 15, 2003, AOL closed Netscape's team and established the Mozilla Foundation, shaping the future of open web standards and browser development.
Read moreRFC 3514 and the Evil Bit: A Humorous Take on Network Security Standards
Discover RFC 3514 and the Evil Bit—its purpose, satire, and influence on early internet security concepts.
Read moreSQL Slammer: The Fastest-Worm in Internet History and Its Global Impact
Discover how SQL Slammer infected 75,000 servers in 11 minutes, causing worldwide disruptions and highlighting cybersecurity vulnerabilities.
Read moreThe Rise of Phatbot: A Modular Malware Revolution (2004)
Discover how Phatbot revolutionized malware with modular, extensible design—shaping modern botnets and cybercrime tactics.
Read moreRemembering the First YouTube Video: 'Me at the Zoo' (2005)
Discover the story behind YouTube's first video, uploaded on April 23, 2005, and how it launched a video-sharing revolution.
Read moreThe Birth of Twitter: How the First Tweet Changed Communication Forever
Discover how the first tweet on March 21, 2006, sparked a social media revolution and transformed online communication forever.
Read moreA Key Court Ruling in the SCO–Linux Disputes
On August 10, 2007, a U.S. federal court ruled that the copyrights to UNIX belonged to Novell rather than The SCO Group — the turning point in the SCO–Linux disputes.
Read moreHow the 2008 Creative Commons Summit Pioneered Open Licensing for AI and Digital Content
Learn how the 2008 Creative Commons Summit advanced machine-readable licenses, shaping open content and fueling AI datasets.
Read moreHow the 2008 Launch of the App Store Changed Mobile Software
Learn how the 2008 launch of Apple's App Store introduced a new mobile app economy, offering a unified platform for discovery, purchase, and security.
Read moreMocmex Trojan: The Early Supply Chain Malware Wake-Up Call (2008)
Discover how the Mocmex Trojan in 2008 exposed hardware supply chain risks and shaped cybersecurity defenses.
Read moreHow the Facebook "Like" Button Revolutionized Online Interaction
Discover how Facebook's "Like" button, launched in 2009, changed online communication and social validation forever.
Read moreMichael Jackson's Death Overwhelmed the Internet
In 2009, Michael Jackson's death caused a massive internet traffic surge, exposing infrastructure limits and prompting industry improvements.
Read moreThe Birth of Minecraft: How a Sandbox Revolution Began in 2009
Discover how Minecraft's 2009 release revolutionized gaming with its sandbox approach and procedural worlds. A look back at its history and impact.
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