* Mainframes: These were large, expensive computers that were used by businesses and governments. They were typically housed in a special room and required a team of technicians to operate.
* Minicomputers: These were smaller and less expensive than mainframes, and they were often used by small businesses and research institutions.
* Personal computers: The first personal computers were introduced in the late 1970s, but they were very expensive and not widely used.
Peripherals
* Printers: These were used to print output from computers. They were typically slow and noisy, and they could only print text.
* Plotters: These were used to draw graphs and other images. They were typically even slower and noisier than printers, and they could only draw black and white.
* Modems: These were used to connect computers to each other over telephone lines. They were typically very slow, and they could only be used to transfer small amounts of data.
Software
* Operating systems: These were the basic software that controlled the operation of computers. They were typically very simple, and they provided only a few basic features.
* Application software: These were programs that were used to perform specific tasks, such as word processing, spreadsheets, and databases. They were typically very expensive, and they were often difficult to use.
Communications
* Telephone: The telephone was the most common means of communication in the 1960s. Landlines were the norm, and mobile phones were not yet available.
* Telegraph: The telegraph was still used for long-distance communication, but it was gradually being replaced by the telephone.
* Radio: Radio was a popular way to receive news and entertainment. AM radio was the most common type of radio, but FM radio was also available.
* Television: Television was becoming increasingly popular in the 1960s. Black-and-white televisions were the norm, and color televisions were still relatively rare.
Space Exploration
* The 1960s was the decade of space exploration. In 1961, Alan Shepard became the first American to travel into space. In 1969, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin became the first humans to walk on the moon.
* The space program had a major impact on technology. It led to the development of new materials, new construction techniques, and new computer systems. It also inspired a new generation of scientists and engineers.
The 1960s was a decade of rapid technological change. This change had a major impact on the way people lived and worked, and it laid the foundation for the even more rapid changes that would come in the decades that followed.