Io, la mia testa, le mie parole

DRAM

The Invention of On-Demand Data

In the mid-1960s, IBM researcher Bob Dennard developed the world’s first one-transistor memory, calling it “dynamic random access memory,” or DRAM. Finally, mainframes could be outfitted with short-term memory to act as a buffer to the data stored on disk drives.

The memory chips would hold information the computer was working on right then, so it could go back to the disk drive only when it needed something new.

This vastly sped up the process of accessing and using stored information.

DRAM instantly made computer memory smaller, denser and cheaper, all while requiring less power.

System 360

From Computers to Computer Systems

Few products in history have had the massive impact that the IBM System/360 has had—on technology, on the way the world works, or on the organization that created them.

The System/360 ushered in the era of computer compatibility—for the first time allowing models across a product line, and even from other companies, to work with each other.

It marked a turning point in the emerging field of information science.

After System/360, the industry no longer talked about automating particular tasks with “computers.”

Now, technology providers talked about managing complex processes through “computer systems.”

The Optimization of Global Railways

IBM’s first customer in Italy, the Italian state-owned Ferrovie dello Stato (Italian Railways) turned to IBM in 1928 to automate its administrative processes.

The result was an inventory of spare parts that drastically reduced waste and statistical traffic analysis that helped to schedule and allocate trains. Italian Railways was one of the first organizations to fully exploit the advantages of IBM’s large-scale, large-volume data management capabilities.

IBM’s work there led to railway engagements in India, the Netherlands, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Cuba, France, Guatemala, Hungary, Mexico, Poland and Yugoslavia.

A Computer Called Watson

IBM’s latest computer, code-named “Watson” leverages the leading edge Question-Answering technology, allowing the computer to process and understand natural language.

It incorporates massively parallel analytical capabilities to emulate the human mind’s ability to understand the actual meaning behind words, distinguish between relevant and irrelevant content, and ultimately, demonstrate confidence to deliver precise final answers.

In February of 2011, Watson will make history by being the first computer to compete against humans on television’s venerable quiz show, Jeopardy!.