On This Day in Tech History
Stories Published August 17 Throughout History
Historic Tech Events
NBS Dedicated SWAC Computer

The National Bureau of Standards dedicated its Standards Western Automatic Computer (SWAC) at the Institute for Numerical Analysis in Los Angeles. Rather than testing components like its companion, the SEAC, the SWAC had an objective of computing using relatively off-the-shelf technology.
World's First Transatlantic Balloon Flight completed

Ben Abruzzo, Maxie Anderson, and Larry Newman became the first people to complete the world's First Transatlantic Balloon Flight. The feat was accomplished in a balloon called the Double Eagle II. It took Abruzzo, Anderson, and Newman 6 days to fly from Preque Isle, Maine to a barley field near Paris.
Venera 7 launched by the Soviet Union

Launched from Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan Venera 7 became the first spacecraft to land on another planet, Venus, and send data back to Earth. It entered Venus’ atmosphere in December 1970.
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