This Day in Computer History: September 3rd

This Day in Computer History: September 3rd
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This Day in Computer History

1972

The USA-Japan Computer Conference is held for the first time in Tokyo, Japan. It’s the first trade show to bring together eastern and western professionals in one event.

1985

Microsoft announces that the Republic of Ireland will be the site of the company’s first foreign software production facility, which will be responsible for manufacturing the company’s products for the European market.

1991

Integral Peripherals introduces the first 1.8-inch hard disk drive approximately the size of a deck of cards with capacities of either 20MB or 40MB.

Lotus Development ships the first version of its Lotus 1-2-3 spreadsheet application for Windows. The earlier versions were released for DOS, making this one of the earliest available fully-graphical spreadsheet programs (as opposed to text-based). The “1-2-3″ refers to the integration of its three main components: charting/graphing, rudimentary databases, and spreadsheets. Price: US$595.

1993

Infogear applies for a trademark on “I PHONE” for its “communications terminals comprising computer hardware and software providing integrated telephone, data communications and personal computer functions.” The patent is one of two that will raise legal issues when Steve Jobs announces the Apple iPhone on January 9, 2007.

1995

eBay gets its start when programmer Pierre Omidyar founds “AuctionWeb” in San Jose, California. The first item auctioned by the service will be a broken laser pointer, which will sell for US$14.83. Surprised by the immediate success of the auction, Omidyar contacted the winning bidder to ask if he understood that the laser pointer didn’t work. The buyer responds by explaining that “I’m a collector of broken laser pointers.”

1996

Corel releases Paint Shop Pro 4.10 for Windows. It is only the second 32-bit release, the first of which was released on July 1st.

Iomega introduces the Ditto tape backup drive with a 2GB storage capacity. Price: US$199.95 (external) or US$149.95 (internal)

1999

Microware Systems files a suit against Apple Computer, alleging that Mac OS 9 infringes on the trademark of Microware’s “OS-9″ operating system. Microware seeks Apple’s Mac OS 9 revenues and an injunction preventing Apple from using the trademark in its marketing. On January 16, 2001, the court will rule that Microwave’s trademark wasn’t violated because there are separate markets for the two products and because Microware failed to claim any lost revenues on its part.

2001

Hewlett-Packard announces that it will acquire computer manufacturer Compaq in a deal with an estimated value of US$25 billion. The companies anticipate that the merger will put the resulting company in a position to compete with IBM in practically every market. The merger will be finalized in early 2002.

This post is part of the series: A Chronology of Computer History: This Day in History

This series provides a daily account of what happened on this day in the history of computing and technology. Discussing developments, breaking news, new releases and global implications that occurred as a result of these ground breaking events.

  1. This Day in Computer History: September 2
  2. This Day in Computer History: September 3
  3. This Day in Computer History: September 4
  4. This Day in Computer History: September 5
  5. This Day in Computer History: September 6
  6. This Day in Computer History: September 7
  7. This Day in Computer History: September 8
  8. This Day in Computer History: September 9
  9. This Day in Computer History: September 10
  10. This Day in Computer History: September 11
  11. This Day in Computer History: September 12
  12. This Day in Computer History: September 13
  13. This Day in Computer History: September 14
  14. This Day in Computer History: September 15
  15. This Day in Computer History: September 16
  16. This Day in Computer History: September 17
  17. This Day in Computer History: September 18
  18. This Day in Computer History: September 19
  19. This Day in Computer History: September 20
  20. This Day in Computer History: September 21
  21. This Day in Computer History: September 22
  22. This Day in Computer History: September 23
  23. This Day in Computer History: September 24
  24. This Day in Computer History: September 26
  25. This Day in Computer History: September 27
  26. This Day in Computer History: September 28
  27. This Day in Computer History: September 29
  28. This Day in Computer History: September 30