360The 1970s: development plans and the first microchips
Saudi Arabia launched its first five-year development plan in 1970, building roads, ports, schools and industry. SABIC was founded in 1976. Elsewhere, the microprocessor and the first personal computers arrived, Concorde began supersonic passenger flights, and the world's first baby conceived by IVF was born in 1978.
In 1970, Saudi Arabia began its first five-year development plan, a programme of investment in infrastructure, education and health. Later plans built new cities, ports, airports and universities across the Kingdom.
King Khalid began his reign in 1975 and continued the rapid modernisation. In 1976, the Saudi Basic Industries Corporation, SABIC, was founded to turn natural gas and oil into chemicals and other products. It grew into one of the world's largest chemical companies, based largely in the new industrial cities of Jubail and Yanbu, planned from 1975.
In 1971, Intel released the 4004, the first commercial microprocessor, which put a computer's central processor on a single chip. In 1977, ready-made personal computers such as the Apple II went on sale.
In January 1976, Concorde began commercial supersonic flights, crossing the Atlantic in about three and a half hours.
On 25 July 1978, Louise Brown was born in England, the first baby conceived through in vitro fertilisation, or IVF. Millions of people have since been born through the technique.
The last natural case of smallpox was recorded in 1977, and the disease was declared eradicated in 1980.
- 1970
- First Saudi five-year development plan
- 1971
- First commercial microprocessor
- 1975
- King Khalid's reign begins
- 1976
- SABIC founded; Concorde enters service
- 1978
- First IVF baby born
Sources: Britannica · SABIC · Saudipedia · World Health Organization.