Computer Pioneers — Set 5
Inventions · कंप्यूटर अग्रदूत · Questions 41–50 of 50
Who is known for creating the first spreadsheet program, VisiCalc?
Correct Answer: C. Dan Bricklin
Dan Bricklin had the idea for VisiCalc while watching his professor manually update a blackboard full of calculations. It was the first application that made business people realize the utility of personal computers. The program helped the Apple II become a massive commercial success.
Which computer pioneer co-founded Intel and is known for the Silicon Valley nickname?
Correct Answer: A. Robert Noyce
Robert Noyce co-invented the integrated circuit independently of Jack Kilby and was a key figure at Fairchild Semiconductor. He was often called 'the Mayor of Silicon Valley' for his influence on the region's tech culture. His work made the mass production of microchips possible.
Who designed the first microprocessor, the Intel 4004, in 1971?
Correct Answer: D. Federico Faggin
Federico Faggin led the team that physically designed and implemented the silicon-gate technology for the 4004. Ted Hoff provided the initial architectural concept, but Faggin made it a working reality. This invention allowed a single chip to act as a computer's CPU.
Who developed the first mouse and demonstrated it in 1968?
Correct Answer: D. Douglas Engelbart
Douglas Engelbart's demonstration, known as 'The Mother of All Demos', showed how a mouse could navigate a digital screen. He also showcased features like video conferencing and word processing for the first time. His vision for augmenting human intellect drove many GUI innovations.
Which pioneer developed the first laptop computer, the GRiD Compass, in 1982?
Correct Answer: A. Bill Moggridge
Bill Moggridge designed the GRiD Compass, which was the first computer to use the 'clamshell' design we see today. It was very expensive and was primarily used by NASA and the US military. This design became the blueprint for almost all subsequent laptops.
Who is the creator of the C++ programming language?
Correct Answer: C. Bjarne Stroustrup
Bjarne Stroustrup created C++ at Bell Labs as an extension of the C language to include 'classes'. It added object-oriented features while maintaining the efficiency of C. Today, it is used for everything from high-performance games to financial systems.
Who founded the first computer company, the Electronic Control Company, in 1946?
Correct Answer: D. Mauchly and Eckert
After building ENIAC, John Mauchly and J. Presper Eckert started their own business to sell computers to the government and industry. They later developed the UNIVAC I, the first commercial computer in the US. Their pioneering efforts turned computing into a viable commercial industry.
Who is the pioneer behind the invention of the Hard Disk Drive in 1956?
Correct Answer: D. Reynold Johnson
Reynold Johnson led a team at IBM that created the RAMAC 305, the first computer to store data on spinning magnetic disks. It could hold 5 megabytes of data, which was considered huge at the time. This invention replaced slow magnetic tapes and punch cards for data access.
Who is credited with inventing the first GUI-based personal computer, the Xerox Alto?
Correct Answer: D. Alan Kay
Alan Kay and the team at Xerox PARC designed the Alto in 1973 with a mouse, windows, and icons. Although it was never a commercial product, it directly inspired the Apple Macintosh and Microsoft Windows. Kay's vision for a 'Dynabook' was also an early precursor to the modern tablet.
Who is the pioneer behind the invention of the e-mail symbol '@'?
Correct Answer: B. Ray Tomlinson
Ray Tomlinson chose the '@' sign because it was a little-used character that clearly distinguished the user from the host computer. He sent the first network email on the ARPANET in 1971. This simple choice created a global standard that is still used by billions of people daily.