top of page
January 23
Video Games
1985: Apple Computer introduces the Macintosh Office, with the first two products being the Appletalk network, and the LaserWriter laser printer. A US$50 kit will be available for connecting a Macintosh to the 230 kbps Appletalk network. The LaserWriter is priced at US$6995.
1985: Apple Computer officially renames the Lisa 2/10 computer as the Macintosh XL. Price is US$3995.
1996: Sun Microsystems ships the Java 1.0 development kit.
1997: In Dallas, Texas, Texas Instruments announces it will sell its notebook computer business to Acer Group of Taiwan.
1997: In Tokyo, Japan, Sega Enterprises and Bandai announce they will merge companies in a US$1.08 billion stock swap. The combined company name is to be Sega Bandai Limited, based in Tokyo.
1999: Sony Computer Entertainment introduces the PocketStation handheld video game system in Japan. Games are downloaded from the PlayStation in a new format. Price is about US$25.
2001: Microsoft and Sun Microsystems settle their Java lawsuit. Microsoft will pay Sun US$20 million, and is permanently prohibited from using the "Java compatible" trademark on its products. The Sun-Microsoft licensing agreement will be terminated, but Microsoft is permitted to use a version of Java in its products for the next seven years.
2001: Transvirtual Technologies releases the PocketLinux operating system for a variety of handheld computers.
2002: Sony begins selling a PS One with plug-in LCD screen, for US$200.
2003: NEC introduces the VersaPro Tablet PC in Japan. It features 10.4-inch screen, Windows XP Tablet PC Edition operating system, 933 MHz Intel Pentium III processor, 256 MN RAM, 20 GB hard drive, 802.11b wireless communications. Weight is 2.2 pounds; size is 0.5 inches thick. Price is 296,000 yen (about US$2500) in Japan.
1985: Apple Computer officially renames the Lisa 2/10 computer as the Macintosh XL. Price is US$3995.
1996: Sun Microsystems ships the Java 1.0 development kit.
1997: In Dallas, Texas, Texas Instruments announces it will sell its notebook computer business to Acer Group of Taiwan.
1997: In Tokyo, Japan, Sega Enterprises and Bandai announce they will merge companies in a US$1.08 billion stock swap. The combined company name is to be Sega Bandai Limited, based in Tokyo.
1999: Sony Computer Entertainment introduces the PocketStation handheld video game system in Japan. Games are downloaded from the PlayStation in a new format. Price is about US$25.
2001: Microsoft and Sun Microsystems settle their Java lawsuit. Microsoft will pay Sun US$20 million, and is permanently prohibited from using the "Java compatible" trademark on its products. The Sun-Microsoft licensing agreement will be terminated, but Microsoft is permitted to use a version of Java in its products for the next seven years.
2001: Transvirtual Technologies releases the PocketLinux operating system for a variety of handheld computers.
2002: Sony begins selling a PS One with plug-in LCD screen, for US$200.
2003: NEC introduces the VersaPro Tablet PC in Japan. It features 10.4-inch screen, Windows XP Tablet PC Edition operating system, 933 MHz Intel Pentium III processor, 256 MN RAM, 20 GB hard drive, 802.11b wireless communications. Weight is 2.2 pounds; size is 0.5 inches thick. Price is 296,000 yen (about US$2500) in Japan.
Movies
1992: Freddie Bartholomew, Irish child actor (Kidnapped), dies of emphysema at 67 (born 1924).
1992: Ian Wolfe, actor (Houdini, THX-1138, Homebodies), dies at age 95.
1994: Sherry Mathis, actress (Search for Tomorrow), dies of cancer at age 44.
1997: David Waller, actor (Lady Jane, Perfect Friday, Hannay), dies at age 76.
2003: Death of Nell Carter at age 54; actress and singer (Gimme a Break, Hangin' with Mr. Cooper).
2004: Death of Bob Keeshan at age 76; children's entertainer (Clarabelle the Clown - Howdy Doody Show YV show (1948-1952), Captain Kangaroo TV show).
1992: Ian Wolfe, actor (Houdini, THX-1138, Homebodies), dies at age 95.
1994: Sherry Mathis, actress (Search for Tomorrow), dies of cancer at age 44.
1997: David Waller, actor (Lady Jane, Perfect Friday, Hannay), dies at age 76.
2003: Death of Nell Carter at age 54; actress and singer (Gimme a Break, Hangin' with Mr. Cooper).
2004: Death of Bob Keeshan at age 76; children's entertainer (Clarabelle the Clown - Howdy Doody Show YV show (1948-1952), Captain Kangaroo TV show).
Music
1986: First induction ceremony for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is held in New York, USA. Inductees are Chuck Berry, James Brown, Ray Charles, Fats Domino, The Everly Brothers, Buddy Holly, Jerry Lee Lewis and Elvis Presley.
1990: Allen Larkin Collins, guitarist, dies of pneumonia at age 37. Collins was one of the founding members and guitarists of Southern US rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd.
1993: Thomas A Dorsey, jazz pianist ("Take My Hand", "Precious Lord"), dies.
1997: Richard Berry, lyricist ("Louie Louie"), dies at age 61.
2003: Death of Nell Carter at age 54; actress and singer (Gimme a Break, Hangin' with Mr. Cooper).
1990: Allen Larkin Collins, guitarist, dies of pneumonia at age 37. Collins was one of the founding members and guitarists of Southern US rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd.
1993: Thomas A Dorsey, jazz pianist ("Take My Hand", "Precious Lord"), dies.
1997: Richard Berry, lyricist ("Louie Louie"), dies at age 61.
2003: Death of Nell Carter at age 54; actress and singer (Gimme a Break, Hangin' with Mr. Cooper).
Sports
1988: 62nd Australian Women's Tennis: Steffi Graf beats Chris Evert (6-1, 7-6).
1988: Bob Benoit bowls first 300-point game in a televised title match.
1988: , Bronze-1992, 1996).
1989: NBA New Jersey Nets begin a 32+ game road losing streak.
1990: Dean Jones scores twin Test tons versus Pakistan at Adelaide Oval.
1992: , 1996).
1993: Graham Gooch scores his 100th 100, on tour at Cuttack.
1993: US female Figure Skating championship won by Nancy Kerrigan.
1993: Doubles-Cincinnati Ohio).
1994: Bernie Kosar is second quarterback to throw touchdown passes in AFC and NFC Championship games.
1995: , Olympics-1996).
1996: Chris Cairns scores 120, 96 balls, 10x4, 9x6 in Test New Zealand versus Zimbabwe.
1997: Laura "Dinky" Patterson dies during bungee jump at Super Bowl rehearsal at age 43.
1988: Bob Benoit bowls first 300-point game in a televised title match.
1988: , Bronze-1992, 1996).
1989: NBA New Jersey Nets begin a 32+ game road losing streak.
1990: Dean Jones scores twin Test tons versus Pakistan at Adelaide Oval.
1992: , 1996).
1993: Graham Gooch scores his 100th 100, on tour at Cuttack.
1993: US female Figure Skating championship won by Nancy Kerrigan.
1993: Doubles-Cincinnati Ohio).
1994: Bernie Kosar is second quarterback to throw touchdown passes in AFC and NFC Championship games.
1995: , Olympics-1996).
1996: Chris Cairns scores 120, 96 balls, 10x4, 9x6 in Test New Zealand versus Zimbabwe.
1997: Laura "Dinky" Patterson dies during bungee jump at Super Bowl rehearsal at age 43.
bottom of page