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This document summarizes the history of computers from early counting devices like the abacus to the five generations of modern computers. It notes that the first generation used vacuum tubes, the second used transistors which made computers smaller and more reliable, and the third used integrated circuits which led to interactive use through keyboards and monitors. The fourth generation saw the development of microprocessors which shrank computers down while increasing capabilities, and the fifth generation involves artificial intelligence and beyond.

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Glyzel Dizon
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41 views

Additional Info-Module1

This document summarizes the history of computers from early counting devices like the abacus to the five generations of modern computers. It notes that the first generation used vacuum tubes, the second used transistors which made computers smaller and more reliable, and the third used integrated circuits which led to interactive use through keyboards and monitors. The fourth generation saw the development of microprocessors which shrank computers down while increasing capabilities, and the fifth generation involves artificial intelligence and beyond.

Uploaded by

Glyzel Dizon
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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History of computer

ABACUS

 Early counting device


 Invented by the Babylonians
 Appeared in modern form in china about 1300 A.D.

PASCALINE

 In 1642 the first arithmetic machine


 Invented by Blaise Pascal

JACQUARD’S LOOM

 In 1801 used punch cards to determine pattern o f cloth on a loom

ANALYTICAL ENGINE

 Developed by English Mathematician, Charles Babbage, often recognized as the Father of Modern
Computers and Lady Ada Byron , recognized as the First Programmer.
 Babbage, designed two mechanical calculators, the Difference Engine (1823) and Analytical
Engine (1833)

TABULATING MACHINE

 Invented by Herman Hollerith, In 1890 census data would not have been tabulated until well
after the 1900 census had been taken.
 An automatic electrical tabulating machine which read punch cards Like used in Jacquard’ loom.

Computer Generations

 First Generation – 1940-1956: Vacuum Tubes

The first computers used vacuum tubes for circuitry and magnetic drums for memory, and were
often enormous, taking up entire rooms. They were very expensive to operate and in addition to
using a great deal of electricity, generated a lot of heat, which was often the cause of
malfunctions. First generation computers relied on machine language to perform operations, and
they could only solve one problem at a time. Input was based on punched cards and paper tape,
and output was displayed on printouts.

The UNIVAC and ENIAC computers are examples of first-generation computing devices. The
UNIVAC was the first commercial computer delivered to a business client, the US Census Bureau
in 1951.

 Second Generation – 1956-1963: Transistors

Transistors replaced vacuum tubes and ushered in the second generation of computers. The
transistor was invented in 1947 but did not see widespread use in computers until the late 1950s.
The transistor was far superior to the vacuum tube, allowing computers to become smaller,
faster, cheaper, more energy-efficient and more reliable than their first-generation predecessors.
Though the transistor still generated a great deal of heat that subjected the computer to
damage, it was a vast improvement over the vacuum tube. Second-generation computers still
relied on punched cards for input and printout for output.

Second-generation computers moved from cryptic binary machine language to symbolic, or


assembly, languages, which allowed programmers to specify instructions in words. High-level
programming languages were also being developed at this time, such as early versions of COBOL
and FORTRAN. These were also the first computers that stored their instructions in their
memory, which moved from a magnetic drum to magnetic core technology.

The first computers of this generation were developed for the atomic energy industry.

 Third Generation – 1964-1971: Integrated Circuits

The development of the integrated circuit was the hallmark of the third generation of computers.
Transistors were miniaturized and placed on silicon chips, called semiconductors, which
drastically increased the speed and efficiency of computers.

Instead of punched cards and printouts, users interacted with third generation computers
through keyboards and monitors and interfaced with an operating system, which allowed the
device to run many different applications at one time with a central program that monitored the
memory. Computers for the first time became accessible to a mass audience because they were
smaller and cheaper than their predecessors.

 Fourth Generation – 1971-Present: Microprocessors

The microprocessor brought the fourth generation of computers, as thousands of integrated


circuits were built onto a single silicon chip. What in the first generation filled an entire room
could now fit in the pal of the hand. The Intel 4004 chip, developed in 1971, located all the
components of the computer – from the central processing unit and memory to input/output
controls – on a single chip.

In 1981 IBM introduced its first computer for the home user, and in 1984 Apple introduced
Macintosh. Microprocessors also moved out of the realm of desktop computers and into many
areas of life as more and more everyday products began to use microprocessors.

As these small computers became more powerful, they could be linked together to form
networks, which eventually led to the development of GUIs, the mouse and handheld devices.

 Fifth Generation – Present and Beyond: Artificial Intelligence

Fifth generation computing devices, based on artificial intelligence, are still in development,
though there are some applications, such as voice recognition, that are being used today. The
use of parallel processing and superconductors is helping to make artificial intelligence a reality.
Quantum computation and molecular and nanotechnology will radically change the face of
computers in years to come. The goal of fifth-generation computing is to develop devices that
respond to natural language input and are capable of learning and self-organization.

UNIVAC-UNIVERSAL AUTOMATIC COMPUTER


ENIAC- ELECTRONIC NUMERICAL INTEGRATOR AND COMPUTER

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