Today in Tech History – Mar. 17, 2015

20140404-073853.jpgIn 1948 – William Gibson was born in Conway, South Carolina. His stories are credited with launching cyberpunk literature, named after the phrase he used in the story “Burning Chrome”.

In 1953 – Australian researcher David Warren came up with the idea for a device to record cockpit noise and instruments during flight. His ARL Flight Memory Unit would eventually be known as the Black Box.

In 1958 – The United States launched the Vanguard 1 satellite, achieving the highest altitude of any man-made vehicle to that time.

MP3

Subscribe to the podcast. Like Tech History? Get the illustrated Year in Tech History at Merritt’s Books site.