Most of the initial development of computer parts was done by now. There were still many components missing compared to modern computers, but there was finally a point where people could effectively use computers in business and companies.
Integrated Circuit - 1958
The integrated circuit (computer chip) was a fundamental turning point of the computer making era. It is typically made of silicon and has many nodes on it that allow for data to be processed. This has been advancing since it was invented and it contains billions of transistors. The transistors amplify and switch electric signals to create different readings on a chip. Currently technology has advanced so much that a circuit may be less than 100 nanometers big. This was an important invention for computers because it allowed them to be smaller in size and they are currently found in mobile phones, computers, and even calculators.
Mouse - 1964
Even though the name Douglas Engelbart doesn't appear much in the world of computers, he was an important contributor to modern computer development. He made the first prototype of the mouse which allowed users to control a point on the x/y axis to make easy selections. The device he is holding in his hand in the picture is a mouse. It is a wooden device with two gears on the bottom to measure x axis and y axis movement. He also contributed to the first graphical interface, which used hypertext (used in HTML for sites) and multiple windows.
Random Access Memory - 1970
RAM is common knowledge to everyone who uses computers because it is one of the main things that determines computer speed along with the processor. It was invented by Intel when the company was just newly formed. At the time it was known as the Intel 1103 and was a Dynamic Random Access Memory Chip. RAM works by storing data in its memory which can then be accessed at later times randomly to speed up the computer's performance because the thing that needs to be loaded is already stored in the RAM. Without this invention we would have to load webpages and software from the internet or hard drive which would take much longer because it is done systematically.
Floppy Disk - 1971
The floppy disk was one of the first storage devices made to transfer information between computers. It was invented by Alan Shugart in 1971. Use of the varying sizes of floppy disk continued well into the early 2000s before a better means of transferring data between computers was made.
Ethernet Computer Networking - 1973
At first, it was difficult to transfer data between computers in an office or business unless they were manually transferred using some type of storage media, but after Bob Metcalfe made the first Ethernet network in 1973, work became much easier. This allowed information to be transferred through wire (which was a great improvement at the time) and let any computer that was connected to a network access files directly from the cables.
Development of Early Computers
At this point all main parts necessary for making computers were available and it was up to companies to improve them and put them together to make efficient computers. Companies like IBM and Apple were big contributors to the initial computers that were commercially available and they were so successful they still exist today.