The 1970s saw the birth of many foundational algorithms and concepts in machine learning, with research focusing on decision tree algorithms, clustering, and ensemble methods. I believe one of the first decision tree algorithms was created in 1973, crazy how early it all started!

In the 80's I apprenticed under a greybeard programmer who gave me all the shitty network code to write, while he experimented with neural networks instead of writing "old school" error correction logic for said network code.

I'm grateful for his bikeshedding, because it made me a network programmer and led to a fine career building Internet service providers, but I'll never forget his frustration .. "the computer is simply not big enough, we need to build a bigger computer" .. I wonder where he is these days. Hopefully retired.