This article tries to touch upon the history of mainframe computers. It does talk about how it all started, intermediate success and the current evolution of mainframes. However there is still more left to say.

Mainframe computers have a rich and long history, here’s a brief overview:

Start: Mainframe computers originated in the 1950s, when IBM introduced the IBM 700 series. These machines were used primarily by large corporations and government institutions for data processing and scientific calculations.

60s and 70s: During this period, mainframes continued to grow in popularity and power, with IBM introducing the System/360 series in 1964. This series was widely adopted and became the standard for mainframe computing for many years.

80s to 90s: The introduction of the IBM System/370 in the 1970s, and the rise of distributed computing, led to a decline in the popularity of mainframes. However, they remained a critical component in many organizations, especially those in finance, telecommunications, and government.

2000s to current: With the advent of new technologies such as virtualization and cloud computing, mainframes have undergone a resurgence in popularity. Today, mainframes are used for running mission-critical applications and storing large amounts of data. They are also increasingly used for security, with their ability to handle large amounts of encrypted data making them ideal for handling sensitive information.

In summary, mainframes have a long history dating back to the 1950s and have been a critical component of many organizations for over six decades. Despite some dips in popularity, they have remained relevant and continue to evolve, finding new uses in areas such as security and large-scale data processing.

 

Mainframe computers and their operating systems have had several revolutionary breakthroughs in the evolution of computing:

1. IBM System/360 (1964): The IBM System/360 series was a revolutionary mainframe that introduced several key concepts, including virtual memory and compatibility between different models. This standardization helped establish mainframes as a critical component in many organizations, and the System/360 became the standard for mainframe computing for many years.
2. IBM OS/360 (1964): The IBM OS/360 operating system was introduced with the System/360 series and was one of the first operating systems to support virtual memory, which allowed mainframes to run multiple applications simultaneously. This was a key breakthrough in mainframe computing and helped to establish the dominance of mainframes in large organizations.
3. Virtualization (2000s to present): The introduction of virtualization in the 2000s allowed mainframes to take advantage of new technologies, such as cloud computing, while also addressing some of their weaknesses, such as high cost and inflexibility. Virtualization allowed mainframes to run multiple virtual machines on a single physical machine, which made them more cost-effective and flexible.
4. Linux on the mainframe (2000s to present): The introduction of Linux on the mainframe in the 2000s was another revolutionary breakthrough. Linux allowed organizations to take advantage of the strengths of open-source software while also leveraging the power and reliability of mainframes. This helped to make mainframes more accessible to a wider range of organizations and opened up new possibilities for mainframe computing.
   These breakthroughs have helped to keep mainframes relevant and have allowed them to continue to evolve in response to changing requirements and new technologies. They have also helped to establish mainframes as a critical component in many organizations, where their ability to handle large amounts of data and run mission-critical applications remains essential.

IBM and Microsoft:
The history between IBM and Microsoft is marked by both collaboration and competition. Here are some key events:

1. IBM partnership with Microsoft (1981): In 1981, IBM approached Microsoft to provide the operating system for its new personal computer, the IBM PC. Microsoft agreed, and the result was the release of MS-DOS, which became the dominant operating system for personal computers for many years.
2. Microsoft’s dominance of personal computing (1980s-1990s): As the popularity of personal computers grew in the 1980s and 1990s, Microsoft’s Windows operating system became the dominant platform. IBM continued to develop its own PC hardware but eventually decided to exit the PC hardware market, focusing instead on its core mainframe and server businesses.
3. IBM and Microsoft compete in enterprise computing (2000s to present): In the 2000s, IBM and Microsoft became competitors in the enterprise computing market. IBM continued to focus on its mainframe and server businesses, while Microsoft focused on developing its Windows Server operating system and its cloud computing platform, Azure. Both companies have continued to innovate and compete in this space, with IBM and Microsoft both offering solutions for cloud computing, analytics, and artificial intelligence.
   Overall, the history between IBM and Microsoft is marked by both collaboration and competition. While they have been partners in some areas, they have also been direct competitors in others. Despite this, both companies have continued to be important players in the technology industry and have made significant contributions to the evolution of computing.

IBM and Apple

There is a history between IBM and Apple. Here are some key events:

1. IBM develops software for Apple (1980s-1990s): In the 1980s and 1990s, IBM developed software for Apple’s Macintosh computer, including the Taligent operating system, which was designed to run on the Macintosh platform.
2. IBM and Apple collaborate on PowerPC architecture (1991-1997): In 1991, IBM and Apple announced a joint project to develop a new microprocessor architecture called PowerPC. The goal was to create a new chip that would be used in both IBM and Apple computers, making it easier for software developers to create applications that would run on both platforms. The PowerPC architecture was used in several Apple and IBM computers until the mid-2000s.
3. IBM enters the PC market (2005): In 2005, IBM announced that it was entering the PC market with its ThinkPad line of laptops. This marked a return to the PC market for IBM, which had exited the market in the 1990s.
4. IBM and Apple collaborate on iOS development (2010s to present): In recent years, IBM and Apple have been collaborating on the development of business-oriented applications for Apple’s iOS platform. IBM has developed several enterprise-level applications for the iPhone and iPad, and the two companies have been working together to promote the use of Apple devices in the enterprise.
   Overall, the history between IBM and Apple has been marked by collaboration and competition. While the two companies have worked together in some areas, they have also been competitors in others. Despite this, both IBM and Apple have continued to be important players in the technology industry and have made significant contributions to the evolution of computing.