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20th Century
Seventh Decade

1960: Echo 1, a U.S. balloon in orbit, reflects radio signals to Earth.
1960: In Rhode Island, an electronic, automated post office.
1960: A movie gets Smell-O-Vision, but the public just sniffs.
1960: Zenith tests subscription TV; unsuccessful.
1961: Boxing match test shows potential of pay-TV.
1961: FCC approves FM stereo broadcasting; spurs FM development.
1961: Bell Labs tests communication by light waves.
1961: IBM introduces the "golf ball" typewriter
1961: Letraset makes headlines simple.
1961: The time-sharing computer is developed.
1962: Cable companies import distant signals.
1962: FCC requires UHF tuners on tv sets.
1962: The minicomputer arrives.
1962: Comsat created to launch, operate global system.
1962: Telstar satellite transmits an image across the Atlantic.
1963: From Holland comes the audiocassette.
1963: Zip codes.
1963: CBS and NBC TV newscasts expand to 30 minutes in color.
1963: PDP-8 becomes the first popular minicomputer.
1963: Polaroid camera instant photography adds color.
1963: Communications satellite is placed in geo-synchronous orbit.
1963: TV news "comes of age" in reporting JFK assassination.
1964: Olympic Games in Tokyo telecast live globally by satellite.
1964: Touch Tone telephones and Picturephone service.
1964: From Japan, the videotape recorder for home use.
1964: Russian scientists bounce a signal off Jupiter.
1964: Intelsat, international satellite organization, is formed.
1965: Electronic phone exchange gives customers extra services.
1965: Satellites begin domestic TV distribution in Soviet Union.
1965: Computer time-sharing becomes popular.
1965: Color news film.
1965: Communications satellite Early Bird (Intelsat 1) orbits above the Atlantic.
1965: Kodak offers Super 8 film for home movies.
1965: Cartridge audiotapes go on sale for a few years.
1965: Most broadcasts are in color.
1965: FCC rules bring structure to cable television.
1965: Solid-state equipment spreads through the cable industry.
1966: Linotron can produce 1,000 characters per second.
1966: Fiber optic cable multiplies communication channels.
1966: Xerox sells the Telecopier, a fax machine.
1967: Dolby eliminates audio hiss.
1967: Computers get the light pen.
1967: Pre-recorded movies on videotape sold for home TV sets.
1967: Cordless telephones get some calls.
1967: Approx. 200 million telephones in the world, half in U.S.
1968: FCC approves non-Bell equipment attached to phone system.
1968: Intelsat completes global communications satellite loop.
1968: Approx. 200 million TV sets in the world, 78 million in U.S.
1968: The RAM microchip reaches the market.
1969: Astronauts send live photographs from the moon.
1969: Sony's U-Matic puts videotape on a cassette.

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