1976 in computing, games and technology

37 milestones from 1976: 17 computers and hardware, 2 peripherals, 1 software, 2 games, 4 games, 7 events, 3 legal milestones, 1 world events.

Open 1976 in the interactive timeline The 1970s

Computers and hardware

• Coleco Telstar
• RCA CDP1802
• General Instrument AY-3-8500
• Sol-20
• Cray-1
• Mattel Auto Race
• Intel 8085
• KIM-1
• Altair 680
• TMS9900
• Apple I
• Zilog Z80
• Cromemco Z-1
• COSMAC Elf
• NEC TK-80
• Magnavox Odyssey 300
• Fairchild Channel F

Peripherals

• Cromemco Dazzler
• Shugart SA-400 Minifloppy

Software

• Electric Pencil

Games

• Colossal Cave Adventure
• Breakout

Games

• Death Race
• Night Driver
• Blockade
• Microchess

Events

• Bill Gates writes Open Letter to Hobbyists
• Pertec buys MITS
• ComputerLand founded
• Dr. Dobb's Journal first issue
• Apple Computer founded
• Commodore acquires MOS Technology
• Warner Communications acquires Atari

Legal milestones

• Magnavox and Atari settle patent suit
• Copyright Act of 1976 signed
• Universal sues Sony over Betamax

World events

• Viking 1 lands on Mars