Imagine a world without operating systems – where every interaction with a computer required entering streams of code just to load a program or access a file. Today‘s intuitive and visual software interfaces have not always existed. Underneath the ease of use of our modern devices lies decades of operating system innovations that made personal computing accessible.
This guide will journey through the key milestones that allowed operating systems to transform from strictly business-oriented tools in the 1950s into the slick, touch-ready platforms powering our smartphones. Learning this history helps illustrate how small changes over time can culminate in revolutionary capabilities. It also reveals the dedicated work of programmers and engineers that brought interactive interfaces and mobile-friendliness to the masses.
What is an Operating System and Why Does it Matter?
An operating system, commonly abbreviated as OS, is software that manages computer functions. It acts as an interface between computer hardware like the processor, memory, hard drives and the programs and applications being run by users. The OS allocates resources, handles input and output requests, and translates software instructions into instructions a computer chipset can execute.
Without an OS, a computer cannot load apps, display information, accept input, or function at more than the most basic level. Operating systems made personal computing devices and user interfaces possible by powering increasingly complex abilities decade over decade.
The Earliest Operating Systems (1950s-1960s): Managing Hulking Mainframes
Long before mouse pointers, windows, or touchscreens appeared, the earliest operating systems emerged to organize batch operations on room-sized mainframe computers from the 1950s and 60s. These pioneering OS managed queues of data processing and calculations coded onto punch cards and magnetic tapes.
Rather than direct interaction, early OS like GM-NAA I/O focused on prioritizing compute tasks submitted in large batches. They lacked a user interface beyond basic switches, print outs, and card readers. But by handling workflow and resource management, they allowed businesses and research institutions to derive value from mainframes despite limited interactivity with end users.
Other notable early OS:
- BESYS (Efficient programming of early scientific Bessemer convertor calculations like steel manufacturing)
- ATLAS Supervisor (Organized workflows for University of Manchester‘s groundbreaking transistor computer)
While arcane today, these systems pioneered foundations for scheduling processes and allocating hardware resources that still underpin modern OS design.
MINI COMPUTERS AND TERMINALS (1960s-1970s) – OS Diversity Begins
The 1960s saw computing power transition from isolated mainframe behemoths to somewhat smaller minicomputers with interactive terminals. This allowed multiple users to access and share computation via typed text commands in a terminal rather than solely batch processing jobs.
Operating systems evolved to enable resource sharing between multiple people via linked terminals, rather than just handling workflow within a single mainframe. Some milestones included:
Time Sharing: Programmers at Dartmouth College modified GE-635 systems to rapidly switch between users, allowing text-based interaction without dedicated assignment to just one customer.
CTSS: Compatible Time Sharing System (developed at MIT‘s Project MAC) became one of the first OS to natively support interactive usage at terminal screens.
This shift to multi-user systems seeded diversity as academia, businesses, and technology vendors began crafting custom OS tailored to their needs. General purpose computing with third party software was still rare. But roots had been planted for more varied operating systems as minicomputers opened access to more organizations.
PERSONAL COMPUTING EMERGES (1970s-1980s) – GUI and Multitasking
The 1970s miniaturization trend enabled genuine personal computers users could own themselves rather than timesharing terminal access. Complete systems like 1977‘s Apple II, 1981‘s IBM PC, and 1977‘s Commodore PET featured built-in keyboards, floppy drives, ports and monitors. The stage was set for OS that enabled average people to accomplish more than just terminal text commands.
Graphical User Interfaces Emerge
Visual displays and point-and-click control debuted allowing easier interaction than memorized text commands. Notable GUI milestones included:
- Xerox PARC: Alto experimental OS in 1973 pioneered WYSIWYG editors, overlapping windows, menus, mouse input and other GUI staples still common decades later.
- Apple Lisa OS: Inspired by Xerox, Apple‘s Lisa OS in 1983 brought GUI workflows tailored for business productivity rather than just engineering environments.
More Diverse Hardware and Software
As personal computers proliferated, third party operating systems arose trying to differentiate on factors like:
- Ease of Use: Apple Macintosh OS in 1984 prioritized simplicity with drag-and-drop manipulation dubbed "the computer for the rest of us."
- Price: Competitors like Digital Research‘s GEM GUI chased mainstream share via lower cost and supporting third-party software.
- Performance: IBM OS/2 aimed to outpace MS-DOS for multi-tasking, stability, and efficiency via features like virtual memory.
Specialization increased as new OS capabilities mirrored emerging hardware niches – from portable laptops to high powered graphic workstations.
The Rise of Windows, Mac OS, and Unix Distributions
By the late 1980s, a handful of players pulled ahead in the booming personal computing market:
- Windows: Microsoft created Windows to add GUI interactivity to MS-DOS, building an enduring dynasty.
- Mac OS: Apple drove GUI simplicity sought after by publishers, creative pros and education.
- UNIX Computing scientists leveraged UNIX for mission critical performance and cross-platform support eventually spawning Linux.
These pivotal OS underlie many modern platforms today from phones to laptops as computing kept evolving.
ENTER THE INTERNET AGE (Early 1990s)
The maturation of GUI OS eased personal computing enough for many to start benefitting – but applications still lacked interconnectivity. The 1990‘s internet explosion changed that. OS developers raced to enhance network compatibility and security as the web opened more avenues for communication and commerce:
- Windows added Internet Explorer: Windows 95 proved seminal by integrating dial-up connectivity and web browsing by default driving mainstream internet adoption.
- Web foundations expanded: Linux gained popularity by enabling high performance web servers and back-end infrastructure to fuel the dot com boom.
- Mac adjusted: After initial missteps dismissal internet services, Apple bounced back adding modern networking capabilities.
As the networked age took off, operating systems adapted to power uses ranging from browsing to eCommerce.
MOBILITY AND CLOUD COMPUTING (2000s)
Internet momentum encouraged OS innovation to continue marching beyond the desktop. Usage exploded on phones and wireless mobile devices creating fresh demands for convenience and portability. Key mobile OS milestones driving change included:
- iOS: Apple disrupted the mobile phone norm in 2007 by introducing a slick touch interface tailored to fingers over styluses.
- Android: Google backed Linux-derived Android starting in 2008 to champion app abundance and cost efficiency across devices.
- Cloud-ready: Existing desktop OS like Windows and macOS added ongoing support for cloud services, remote access, improved notifications and battery-optimizations.
Meanwhile, the cloud computing trend offloaded storage and number crunching from local devices to remote data centers. As hardware needs shifted, OS followed – especially in the massively important mobile domain.
MODERN ERA (2010s And Beyond)
Over six decades, operating systems enabled a staggeringly swift rise from punch cards to pocket computers. Today iOS and Android dominate handsets globally thanks to touch readiness. Meanwhile Windows, MacOS and Linux remain essential for productivity across desktops, servers, cloud infrastructure and laptops benefitting from decades more polish.
The stage is set for innovative new application scenarios as OS continue evolving:
- Wearables and AR/VR: Interactive glasses and augmented screens demand more perceptive context-aware assistance rather than legacy UIs.
- Touch gives way to voice and gestures: Natural language and motion controls replace typing and tapping to drive the next phase of intuitive interfaces.
- Embedded "smartness" spreads: Fridges, speakers, cars and more gain "smart" OS driving automation anywhere computation can enable convenience.
It has been over 50 years since the first specialized business computing OS moved beyond batch processing. Today operating systems power experiences reaching billions of people daily across phones, watches, laptops, televisions and even cars or appliances.
The seeds planted by early OS visionaries to increase access and interactivity continue flowering new possibilities at the intersection of software and hardware. The history keeps unfolding – with many of tomorrow‘s most beloved interfaces still waiting to be imagined thanks to ongoing foundation-laying by operating system architects.
