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April 2
Video Games
1986: IBM introduces the IBM PC Convertible laptop computer. It features 80C88 processor, 256 kB RAM, LCD screen, and two 3.5-inch 720 kB floppy disk drives. The detachable LCD screen can be replaced by a high-resolution monitor. Weight is 12 pounds; price is US$2000; size is 14 x 12 inches.
1986: IBM announces a new version of the IBM PC AT, with an 8 MHz 80286 processor.
1987: In New York and Miami, IBM introduces the IBM Personal System/2 (PS/2) line, with IBM's first 386 PC, and 3.5-inch floppy drives as standard. The Model 30 features 8 MHz 8086 processor, 640 kB RAM, 720 kB 3.5-inch floppy drive, 20 MB hard drive, three expansion slots, PC-DOS 3.3, for US$1695-2295. Model 50 features 10 MHz 80286 processor, 1 kB RAM, 1.44 MB 3.5-inch floppy drive, 20 MB hard drive, three expansion slots, PC-DOS 3.3, OS/2, for US$3595. Model 60 features 10 MHz 80286 processor, 1 kB RAM, 1.44 MB 3.5-inch floppy drive, 44 or 70 MB hard drive, seven expansion slots, PC-DOS 3.3, OS/2, for US$5295-6295. Model 80 features 20 MHz 80386 processor, 2 kB RAM, 1.44 MB 3.5-inch floppy drive, 44/70/115 MB hard drive, seven expansion slots, PC-DOS 3.3, OS/2, for US$6995-10995.
1987: IBM unveils its Video Graphics Array (VGA) in its Model 50 and higher of the PS/2 line. VGA offers 256 simultaneous colors at a resolution of 320x200, and 16 colors at 640x480. The colors displayed have six bits of depth for each primary color, giving a palette of 262,144 different colors to select from.
1987: IBM unveils its Multicolor Graphics Array (MCGA) on its PS/2 Model 30. The MCGA is limited to 64K of memory, limiting 640x480 resolution to just 2 colors, but still allowing 320x200 in 256 colors.
1987: IBM introduces its Micro Channel Architecture (MCA) on its Model 50 and higher of the PS/2 line.
1987: IBM announces the 8514/A Display Adapter, a high-resolution graphics card for the MCA PS/2 line. The 8514/A adds 1024x768 in 16 colors to the standard VGA, at a cost of US$1290. With the addition of a US$270 Memory Expansion Kit, 640x480 and 1024x768 resolutions can be had in 256 colors.
1987: IBM and Microsoft announce Operating System/2 (OS/2), Standard Edition for the IBM PS/2 computer line.
1987: IBM announces Operating System/2, Extended Edition, Version 1.1.
1987: IBM announces DOS 3.3 for PCs, for US$120. It adds support for 1.44 MB floppy disks, and multiple 32 MB hard drive partitions.
1987: Microsoft announces Microsoft Windows 2.0.
1997: The second JavaOne developers' conference is held. Over 10,000 attend.
1997: Advanced Micro Devices introduces the K6 processor, featuring MMX instructions and dual 32 kB on-chip caches. Speeds and prices in 1000-unit quantities are 166 MHz (US$244), 200 MHz (US$349), 233 MHz (US$469). The processor incorporates 8.8 million transistors in a 0.35 micron process, and is based on the NexGen Nx686.
1997: Prince Walid bin Talal of Saudi Arabia announces he has acquired 5 percent of Apple Computer for US$115 million, becoming the company's largest shareholder.
1998: Intel introduces the Mobile Pentium II processor, in speeds of 233 and 266 MHz. It features 66 MHz memory bus, and a bus to the Level 2 cache at half the processor clock speed. Code-name during development was Mobile Deschutes.
1998: Sony CEA sells the 10 millionth PlayStation video game system in North America.
2002: Intel releases the 2.4 GHz Pentium 4 processor, with 400 MHz front-side bus. Price is US$562 in 1000-unit quantities.
2004: Sun Microsystems and Microsoft sign a ten-year cooperative agreement, settling long-standing hostilities. The agreement includes server technology cross-licensing, US$700 million paid to Sun to resolve pending antitrust issues, US$900 million paid to Sun to resolve patent issues, and US$350 million paid to Sun in royalty payments. Sun and Microsoft will collaborate on Java and .NET technologies.
2005: In New York City, the Design and Technology department of Parsons School of Design hosts "Retro Redux", a 24-hour competition of participants from five New York design schools to create a game to the same specifications used for the Atari 2600. Nine teams compete. The winning game, Ninja Garden, by Club Awesome, will be included in a future release of Atari's Flashback video game system.
2008: At the Intel Developer Forum in Shanghai, China, Intel introduces the low-power Atom microprocessor, in speeds up to 1.86 GHz.
1986: IBM announces a new version of the IBM PC AT, with an 8 MHz 80286 processor.
1987: In New York and Miami, IBM introduces the IBM Personal System/2 (PS/2) line, with IBM's first 386 PC, and 3.5-inch floppy drives as standard. The Model 30 features 8 MHz 8086 processor, 640 kB RAM, 720 kB 3.5-inch floppy drive, 20 MB hard drive, three expansion slots, PC-DOS 3.3, for US$1695-2295. Model 50 features 10 MHz 80286 processor, 1 kB RAM, 1.44 MB 3.5-inch floppy drive, 20 MB hard drive, three expansion slots, PC-DOS 3.3, OS/2, for US$3595. Model 60 features 10 MHz 80286 processor, 1 kB RAM, 1.44 MB 3.5-inch floppy drive, 44 or 70 MB hard drive, seven expansion slots, PC-DOS 3.3, OS/2, for US$5295-6295. Model 80 features 20 MHz 80386 processor, 2 kB RAM, 1.44 MB 3.5-inch floppy drive, 44/70/115 MB hard drive, seven expansion slots, PC-DOS 3.3, OS/2, for US$6995-10995.
1987: IBM unveils its Video Graphics Array (VGA) in its Model 50 and higher of the PS/2 line. VGA offers 256 simultaneous colors at a resolution of 320x200, and 16 colors at 640x480. The colors displayed have six bits of depth for each primary color, giving a palette of 262,144 different colors to select from.
1987: IBM unveils its Multicolor Graphics Array (MCGA) on its PS/2 Model 30. The MCGA is limited to 64K of memory, limiting 640x480 resolution to just 2 colors, but still allowing 320x200 in 256 colors.
1987: IBM introduces its Micro Channel Architecture (MCA) on its Model 50 and higher of the PS/2 line.
1987: IBM announces the 8514/A Display Adapter, a high-resolution graphics card for the MCA PS/2 line. The 8514/A adds 1024x768 in 16 colors to the standard VGA, at a cost of US$1290. With the addition of a US$270 Memory Expansion Kit, 640x480 and 1024x768 resolutions can be had in 256 colors.
1987: IBM and Microsoft announce Operating System/2 (OS/2), Standard Edition for the IBM PS/2 computer line.
1987: IBM announces Operating System/2, Extended Edition, Version 1.1.
1987: IBM announces DOS 3.3 for PCs, for US$120. It adds support for 1.44 MB floppy disks, and multiple 32 MB hard drive partitions.
1987: Microsoft announces Microsoft Windows 2.0.
1997: The second JavaOne developers' conference is held. Over 10,000 attend.
1997: Advanced Micro Devices introduces the K6 processor, featuring MMX instructions and dual 32 kB on-chip caches. Speeds and prices in 1000-unit quantities are 166 MHz (US$244), 200 MHz (US$349), 233 MHz (US$469). The processor incorporates 8.8 million transistors in a 0.35 micron process, and is based on the NexGen Nx686.
1997: Prince Walid bin Talal of Saudi Arabia announces he has acquired 5 percent of Apple Computer for US$115 million, becoming the company's largest shareholder.
1998: Intel introduces the Mobile Pentium II processor, in speeds of 233 and 266 MHz. It features 66 MHz memory bus, and a bus to the Level 2 cache at half the processor clock speed. Code-name during development was Mobile Deschutes.
1998: Sony CEA sells the 10 millionth PlayStation video game system in North America.
2002: Intel releases the 2.4 GHz Pentium 4 processor, with 400 MHz front-side bus. Price is US$562 in 1000-unit quantities.
2004: Sun Microsystems and Microsoft sign a ten-year cooperative agreement, settling long-standing hostilities. The agreement includes server technology cross-licensing, US$700 million paid to Sun to resolve pending antitrust issues, US$900 million paid to Sun to resolve patent issues, and US$350 million paid to Sun in royalty payments. Sun and Microsoft will collaborate on Java and .NET technologies.
2005: In New York City, the Design and Technology department of Parsons School of Design hosts "Retro Redux", a 24-hour competition of participants from five New York design schools to create a game to the same specifications used for the Atari 2600. Nine teams compete. The winning game, Ninja Garden, by Club Awesome, will be included in a future release of Atari's Flashback video game system.
2008: At the Intel Developer Forum in Shanghai, China, Intel introduces the low-power Atom microprocessor, in speeds up to 1.86 GHz.
Movies
1988: Birth of Jesse Plemons; actor (Friday Night Lights).
1990: Aldo Fabrizi, actor (Postman Goes to War, Open City), dies at age 85.
1992: Death of Paula Kelly at age 72; singer (The Modernaires, Glenn Miller Orchestra - "Chatanooga Choo Choo", "Kalamazoo", "I Know Why", "Elmer's Tune"), actress.
1993: Eugenie Leontovitch, actress (Four Sons, Homicidal), dies at age 93.
1994: Richard Davies, actor (Private Buckaroo), dies of heart attack at age 79.
1994: Death of Betty Furness at age 78 of stomach cancer; American actress, author, news consumer reporter (WNBC), TV spokesperson (Westinghouse) (born 1916).
1997: The WB Network premieres the Disney TV show Smart Guy.
1997: Tomoyuki Tanaka, producer (Godzilla), dies of a stroke at age 86.
2002: Death of Jack Kruschen at age 80; actor (Gunsmoke radio show, Dragnet, Broadway is My Beat, Pete Kelly's Blues).
1990: Aldo Fabrizi, actor (Postman Goes to War, Open City), dies at age 85.
1992: Death of Paula Kelly at age 72; singer (The Modernaires, Glenn Miller Orchestra - "Chatanooga Choo Choo", "Kalamazoo", "I Know Why", "Elmer's Tune"), actress.
1993: Eugenie Leontovitch, actress (Four Sons, Homicidal), dies at age 93.
1994: Richard Davies, actor (Private Buckaroo), dies of heart attack at age 79.
1994: Death of Betty Furness at age 78 of stomach cancer; American actress, author, news consumer reporter (WNBC), TV spokesperson (Westinghouse) (born 1916).
1997: The WB Network premieres the Disney TV show Smart Guy.
1997: Tomoyuki Tanaka, producer (Godzilla), dies of a stroke at age 86.
2002: Death of Jack Kruschen at age 80; actor (Gunsmoke radio show, Dragnet, Broadway is My Beat, Pete Kelly's Blues).
Music
1987: Death of Buddy Rich at age 69 of a heart attack after surgery for a brain tumor; jazz drummer (with Bunny Berrigan, Artie Shaw, Tommy Dorsey, solo in 1945, solo again 1966 - "Away We Go").
1992: Death of Paula Kelly at age 72; singer (The Modernaires, Glenn Miller Orchestra - "Chatanooga Choo Choo", "Kalamazoo", "I Know Why", "Elmer's Tune"), actress.
2003: Death of Edwin Starr at age 61 after a heart attack; soul singer ("War" (1970)).
1992: Death of Paula Kelly at age 72; singer (The Modernaires, Glenn Miller Orchestra - "Chatanooga Choo Choo", "Kalamazoo", "I Know Why", "Elmer's Tune"), actress.
2003: Death of Edwin Starr at age 61 after a heart attack; soul singer ("War" (1970)).
Sports
1985: World Cup).
1986: NCAA adopts 3-point basketball rule (19 feet 9 inch distance).
1986: MasterCard International Pro-Am).
1988: Simply Majestic sets horse racing's 1-1/8 mile record at 1:45.
1988: Test Cricket debut of Curtly Ambrose, West Indies versus Pakistan, Georgetown.
1989: 18th Nabisco Dinah Shore Golf Championship won by Juli Inkster.
1989: 8th NCAA Women's Basketball Championship: Tennessee beats Auburn 76-60.
1989: New York Yankees beat New York Mets 4-0, sweeping 1989 mayor's trophy series in two games.
1990: 52nd NCAA Men's Basketball Championship: Nevada-Las Vegas beats Duke 103-73.
1990: Sara Lee).
1992: , 1996).
1994: First exhibition game played at Jacobs Field, Pittsburgh Pirates beat Cleveland Indians, 6-4.
1995: 14th NCAA Women's Basketball Championship: University of Connecticut Huskies beats Tennessee 70-64.
1995: 7th Seniors Golf Tradition: Jack Nicklaus.
1995: Major League Baseball owners accept baseball players' return-to-work proposal, agree to delay start of season until April 26.
1995: Canadian-second).
1995: doubles Wimbledon).
1995: Harvey Penick, American premier golf instructor/author, dies at age 90 (born 1904).
1996: Sri Lanka 9-349 in 50 overs beat Pakistan 315 all out, Singapore; Jayasuriya hits ton in 48 balls, world ODI record at Singapore.
1996: Detroit Tigers' slugger Cecil Fielder steals first base in 1,097th career game.
1997: Chicago White Sox agree to pay Albert Belle US$10 million for the season.
1998: World Mens Figure Skating Championship in Minneapolis, Minnesota; Russian Alexei Yagudin wins.
2003: Todd Zeile becomes the only major league player to hit a home run for ten different teams: New York Yankees, Detroit Cardinals, Chicago Cubs, Philadelphia Phillies, Baltimore Orioles, Los Angeles Dodgers, Florida Marlins, Texas Rangers, New York Mets, and Colorado Rockies.
2008: Liam Tancock of Exeter, England, sets new world record 50m backstroke of 24.47 seconds, at Pond's Forge, Sheffield, England.
1986: NCAA adopts 3-point basketball rule (19 feet 9 inch distance).
1986: MasterCard International Pro-Am).
1988: Simply Majestic sets horse racing's 1-1/8 mile record at 1:45.
1988: Test Cricket debut of Curtly Ambrose, West Indies versus Pakistan, Georgetown.
1989: 18th Nabisco Dinah Shore Golf Championship won by Juli Inkster.
1989: 8th NCAA Women's Basketball Championship: Tennessee beats Auburn 76-60.
1989: New York Yankees beat New York Mets 4-0, sweeping 1989 mayor's trophy series in two games.
1990: 52nd NCAA Men's Basketball Championship: Nevada-Las Vegas beats Duke 103-73.
1990: Sara Lee).
1992: , 1996).
1994: First exhibition game played at Jacobs Field, Pittsburgh Pirates beat Cleveland Indians, 6-4.
1995: 14th NCAA Women's Basketball Championship: University of Connecticut Huskies beats Tennessee 70-64.
1995: 7th Seniors Golf Tradition: Jack Nicklaus.
1995: Major League Baseball owners accept baseball players' return-to-work proposal, agree to delay start of season until April 26.
1995: Canadian-second).
1995: doubles Wimbledon).
1995: Harvey Penick, American premier golf instructor/author, dies at age 90 (born 1904).
1996: Sri Lanka 9-349 in 50 overs beat Pakistan 315 all out, Singapore; Jayasuriya hits ton in 48 balls, world ODI record at Singapore.
1996: Detroit Tigers' slugger Cecil Fielder steals first base in 1,097th career game.
1997: Chicago White Sox agree to pay Albert Belle US$10 million for the season.
1998: World Mens Figure Skating Championship in Minneapolis, Minnesota; Russian Alexei Yagudin wins.
2003: Todd Zeile becomes the only major league player to hit a home run for ten different teams: New York Yankees, Detroit Cardinals, Chicago Cubs, Philadelphia Phillies, Baltimore Orioles, Los Angeles Dodgers, Florida Marlins, Texas Rangers, New York Mets, and Colorado Rockies.
2008: Liam Tancock of Exeter, England, sets new world record 50m backstroke of 24.47 seconds, at Pond's Forge, Sheffield, England.
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