An Interactive History of Cloud Computing
Richard ThelwellSeptember 2, 2015
The term “cloud computing” may be commonly uttered in businesses all over the world, but its complex history is less well known.
This interactive timeline from Matillion charts the history of the Cloud, and its future!
1940s/50s – The Birth of Modern Computing
In 1947, researchers at the University of Manchester developed the “Manchester Baby”, the world’s first stored program computer. With its limited functionality and its vast size (over 17 feet in length) the Manchester Baby is almost unrecognisable from the computers we know today, yet it played a pivotal role in their development.
Moving into the 1950s, the concept of “time sharing” came to prominence. In 1955 there were a mere 250 computers in use around the world, and to derive the most benefit from these limited resources, they were rented out to users. The concept of time sharing allocated users amounts of processing power, to ensure as little downtime as possible for these large and expensive computers. This idea of sharing resources still lies at the heart of Cloud Computing today.
1960s – Sharing is caring
The introduction of “packet switching” at the National Physical Laboratory in the 1960s allowed multiple individuals to use a network at the same time by breaking information down into smaller chunks – or “packets”. This laid the foundations for the Internet and the sharing of resources.
In 1961 Computer scientist John McCarthy makes a speech at MIT suggesting that one day computer resources may be shared like any other utility. He is the first person to suggest using computer technology in this way.
1970s – Networks go Global
The first large-scale packet switching network, the ARPANET is considered the first Internet. In 1973 sites in Norway and the UK connected to the ARPANET, marking the first ever international network, later dubbed the Internet.
Hardware advances in the 1970s meant that computers became smaller and more affordable. The Apple II computer launched in 1977 and went on to sell between five and six million units over its lifetime.
1980s – Computers hit the mainstream
The 1980s was the decade when computers truly became ‘mainstream’. The IBM Personal Computer was launched in 1981, and by 1982, one was sold every minute of the working day.
In 1982 Minitel launched their Videotex online service accessed via telephone lines. Terminals were given to users for free, allowing them to use a number of services such as phone directories and messaging. Prior to the introduction of the World Wide Web, Minitel was one of the most successful online services, with over 25 million users over its lifetime.
1990s – Welcome to the World Wide Web
In 1991, The World Wide Web was developed by CERN employee, Tim Berners-Lee.
The World Wide Web has gone on to become one of the most valuable resources in the history of humankind. Without the Web and its now huge user base, the ecosystem for cloud computing would not exist.
In 1996, George Favaloro and Sean O’Sullivan, executives at Compaq Computer, first referred to the term “Cloud Computing” in their business plan. This is the first known use of the term.
2000s – Out with the old, in with the new
In the early 2000s, the Dot-Com Bubble reaches its peak and bursts. Many online companies go bust or see their stock plummet.
This caused businesses to re-think how they used the Internet to deliver services. Combined with the growing demands of Big Data, this provided the perfect conditions for cloud computing to thrive.
By the end of the 2000s, the smartphone revolution means that everyone has access to the Cloud, in their pocket, on-the-go.
2010s – The Cloud takes centre stage
This decade has seen the Cloud take centre stage, with companies such as Amazon, Apple, Netflix and Spotify all relying heavily on the Cloud.
Worldwide spending on Cloud services was estimated to be at $ 47 billion in 2013.
Previous concerns surrounding the security of Cloud Computing have begun to diminish, and this has seen companies around the world move parts, or all of their business, to the Cloud.
The Future
The market for Cloud services is predicted to double by 2017, being valued at around $ 108 billion.
The likes of Amazon, Google, Microsoft and Netflix all rely on cloud computing to deliver their services and with countless untapped benefits yet to be discovered, the future remains bright for cloud computing.
Check out the Interactive Timeline for yourself, here.
Digital & Social Articles on Business 2 Community
(146)
