On This Day in Tech History

Stories PublishedOctober 11Throughout History
Historic Tech Events
ICE Spacecraft Passes Through Comet's Tail

ICE Spacecraft Passes Through Comet's Tail

1985

The International Cometary Explorer (ICE) was not only the first man-made object to pass through the gas tail of a comet (P/Giacobini-Zinner) on September 11, 1985, but it also made history as the first spacecraft to study two comets, having previously flown by Comet Halley in 1986. ICE was originally launched in 1978 as the International Sun-Earth Explorer 3 (ISEE-3), but was repurposed for cometary exploration. Its observations provided valuable insights into the composition and behavior of comets and the interaction between the solar wind and comet

Atari VCS (2600) Released, Revolutionizes Gaming

Atari VCS (2600) Released, Revolutionizes Gaming

1977

The Atari Video Computer System (VCS), later known as the Atari 2600, was released in North America in September 1977 and is considered one of the most influential video game consoles in history. The console's use of ROM cartridges instead of built-in games allowed for a vast library of titles, leading to the creation of the third-party game development industry. The VCS also introduced iconic games such as Space Invaders and Pac-Man to the home market and helped to establish the home console gaming industry, which continues to thrive today. The console remained in production until 1992 and sold over 30 million units worldwide

Stanley Brothers Granted Motor Vehicle Patent

Stanley Brothers Granted Motor Vehicle Patent

1900

On September 11, 1900, Francis and Freelan Stanley were granted a patent for a gasoline-powered motor vehicle that they had designed and built. This vehicle, which they named the "Stanley Steamer," was one of the first successful steam-powered automobiles, and it went on to become a popular mode of transportation in the early 20th century.

First Public Remote Computation Demonstrated, 1940

First Public Remote Computation Demonstrated, 1940

1940

The first public distant computation was demonstrated on September 11, 1940, at the American Mathematical Society meeting held at Dartmouth College. The demonstration was made possible by a complex machine called the Complex Number Calculator, which was able to perform mathematical calculations remotely using teletype machines and telephone lines. This groundbreaking demonstration paved the way for future developments in remote computing and laid the foundation for the modern internet.

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