Technology

105 sourced events. Showing 97-105.

Events

Technology Timeline

2001

Wikipedia Online Encyclopedia Launches

Jimmy Wales and Larry Sanger had launched Nupedia in 2000 as a peer-reviewed free online encyclopedia, but progress was slow due to its rigorous expert review process. On January 15, 2001, they introduced Wikipedia as a complementary wiki-based project allowing anyone to edit articles rapidly. The site went live under the wikipedia.com domain with an initial focus on building content collaboratively, drawing inspiration from open-source software principles. Early policies emphasized neutral point of view and community governance, quickly attracting contributors beyond the small Nupedia team. Within months, Wikipedia expanded to multiple languages and surpassed Nupedia in scale, eventually leading to the latter's closure in 2003.

Event Detail

2001

Technology 21st Century Russia & Central Asia

Russian Space Station Mir Deorbited into Pacific

Mir, launched in 1986, served as a long-duration orbital laboratory hosting international crews and advancing microgravity research for 15 years. Russia faced funding constraints and shifted priorities to the International Space Station. On March 23, 2001, after docking Progress M1-5, controllers executed a series of burns to lower the orbit. The station reentered the atmosphere over the South Pacific near Fiji, with most debris burning up safely. Fragments splashed down harmlessly, ending Mir's mission.

Event Detail Daily Earth View

2006

Technology 21st Century North America

Twitter Social Media Platform Officially Launches

In early 2006 the San Francisco podcasting company Odeo developed a side project called Twttr, a short-messaging service allowing users to send 140-character updates to groups via SMS. On July 15, 2006, Odeo publicly released the service to the general public. Early adopters quickly embraced the real-time microblogging format, which differed from longer-form platforms then dominant. Within months the platform—soon renamed Twitter—gained traction among tech enthusiasts, journalists, and celebrities. Its simple, open API encouraged rapid third-party development and integration, accelerating its growth into a global communication network.

Event Detail

2007

Technology 21st Century Europe

Estonia Holds World's First National Internet Election

Estonia had pioneered digital governance since regaining independence, introducing electronic ID cards and online services in the early 2000s to enhance efficiency and accessibility. Building on local experiments, the country prepared for its March 2007 parliamentary elections with a secure internet voting system. On March 4, 2007, during advance voting, citizens cast ballots online for the first time in a national election anywhere in the world. The system allowed verified voters to participate remotely via computer, with strong encryption and audit trails. Turnout included thousands of e-votes alongside traditional methods. The election proceeded without major technical disruptions, validating the approach for future use.

Event Detail

2007

Technology 21st Century North America

Apple Releases the First iPhone

In the mid-2000s, mobile phones primarily handled calls, texts, and basic media while personal digital assistants offered limited computing. Apple, under Steve Jobs, sought to merge phone, music player, and internet device into a single intuitive product. On June 29, 2007, the company launched the original iPhone in the United States with a multi-touch interface, full web browser, and app ecosystem foundation. Priced at $499 for the 4GB model and $599 for 8GB, it sold out quickly despite limited initial features like no third-party apps or copy-paste. The device reshaped consumer expectations for smartphones almost immediately.

Event Detail America 250 Atlas

2008

Technology 21st Century East Asia

China Launches Shenzhou 7 with First Spacewalk

China's manned space program advanced steadily after earlier Shenzhou missions. On September 25, 2008, the Shenzhou 7 spacecraft lifted off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center aboard a Long March 2F rocket, carrying three taikonauts: Zhai Zhigang, Liu Boming, and Jing Haipeng. The three-day mission culminated in China's first extravehicular activity when Zhai Zhigang exited the spacecraft for a 22-minute spacewalk on September 27, wearing a Chinese-designed Feitian spacesuit. The crew conducted experiments and tested technologies before returning safely. This flight marked China's third human spaceflight and demonstrated independent capability for spacewalks.

Event Detail Daily Earth View

2008

Technology 21st Century North America

SpaceX Falcon 1 Reaches Orbit

Founded by Elon Musk, SpaceX aimed to reduce space launch costs through reusable technology and private enterprise. After three failed attempts, the company launched its Falcon 1 rocket on September 28, 2008, from Kwajalein Atoll. The two-stage liquid-fueled vehicle successfully placed a payload into low Earth orbit, marking the first time a privately funded and developed rocket achieved this milestone. The success validated SpaceX's engineering approach and secured further contracts, including with NASA. It signaled a shift toward commercial dominance in the space industry.

Event Detail Daily Earth View

2010

Technology 21st Century Middle East & North Africa

Burj Khalifa Opens as World's Tallest Building

Dubai's rapid urban development in the 2000s aimed to position the emirate as a global hub for business, tourism, and innovation under the leadership of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Construction of the Burj Khalifa, designed by Adrian Smith of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, began in 2004 and reached completion after six years of intensive work involving thousands of workers. On January 4, 2010, the 828-meter (2,717-foot) skyscraper officially opened with a lavish ceremony featuring fireworks and light displays. It surpassed all previous records for height, incorporating residential, hotel, office, and observation spaces. The project symbolized Dubai's economic ambitions during a period of global financial uncertainty.

Event Detail

2011

Technology 21st Century North America

Space Shuttle Atlantis Launches Final Mission

After three decades of service, NASA’s Space Shuttle program faced retirement following the loss of Columbia in 2003 and shifting priorities toward commercial crew vehicles and deep-space exploration. Atlantis, the oldest surviving orbiter, was assigned to the final flight, designated STS-135. On July 8, 2011, the shuttle lifted off from Kennedy Space Center carrying a crew of four and a cargo module bound for the International Space Station. The 12-day mission delivered supplies and performed maintenance tasks before returning safely. With Atlantis’s landing on July 21, the reusable shuttle fleet was retired.

Event Detail Daily Earth View