1959 – Want to see a 2.9 million dollar computer? That was the IBM 7090 – a transistorized mainframe computer that was designed for scientific research and tech applications. It replaced the 709 series, which used vacuum tubes. The first two were delivered – one of the 7090’s would be used for the Mercury and Gemini space missions. Check out more on the IBM 7090 This Day in Tech History podcast show notes for November 30 The First Coaxial cable is installed Microsoft Vista is released to Volume licence customers Jeopardy contestant Ken Jennings loses.