Lesson 3: The 5
Generation of Computers
and the Evolution of
Modern Technology
Terms to
Remember!
Vacuum Tubes Transistors Integrated
Circuit
Microprocessor Graphic User Massively
Interface (GUI) Parallel
Message-passing Punched Cards Quantum
Architecture Computing
Vacuum Tubes Transistors Integrated
Circuit
Microprocessor Graphic User Massively
Interface (GUI) Parallel
Message-passing Punched Cards Quantum
Architecture Computing
Vacuum Tubes
Electronic devices used in the first
generation of computers to amplify
and switch electronic signals.
Vacuum Tubes Transistors Integrated
Circuit
Microprocessor Graphic User Massively
Interface (GUI) Parallel
Message-passing Punched Cards Quantum
Architecture Computing
Transistors
Semiconductor devices used in the
second generation of computers to
replace vacuum tubes and make
computers faster, smaller, and
more reliable.
Vacuum Tubes Transistors Integrated
Circuit
Microprocessor Graphic User Massively
Interface (GUI) Parallel
Message-passing Punched Cards Quantum
Architecture Computing
Integrated
Circuit
Microscopic electronic circuits made
from layers of semiconductor
material, used in the third generation
of computers to pack more
components into a smaller space and
increase processing power.
Vacuum Tubes Transistors Integrated
Circuit
Microprocessor Graphic User Massively
Interface (GUI) Parallel
Message-passing Punched Cards Quantum
Architecture Computing
A computer processor
that is built on a single
integrated circuit,
allowing for the creation
Microprocessor of smaller, faster, and
more powerful
computers in the fourth
generation.
Vacuum Tubes Transistors Integrated
Circuit
Microprocessor Graphic User Massively
Interface (GUI) Parallel
Message-passing Punched Cards Quantum
Architecture Computing
A user interface that allows users to
interact with electronic devices
through graphical elements such
Graphic User
Interface (GUI)
as icons, windows, and buttons,
which was introduced by the
Macintosh in the fourth generation.
Vacuum Tubes Transistors Integrated
Circuit
Microprocessor Graphic User Massively
Interface (GUI) Parallel
Message-passing Punched Cards Quantum
Architecture Computing
A type of computer
architecture that allows
multiple processors to
work together Massively
simultaneously on a single Parallel
task.
Vacuum Tubes Transistors Integrated
Circuit
Microprocessor Graphic User Massively
Interface (GUI) Parallel
Message-passing Punched Cards Quantum
Architecture Computing
A method of communication
between processors in a
parallel computing system
where messages are sent and
received between processors.
Message-passing
Architecture
Vacuum Tubes Transistors Integrated
Circuit
Microprocessor Graphic User Massively
Interface (GUI) Parallel
Message-passing Punched Cards Quantum
Architecture Computing
Paper cards used for input and output
in early computers, where holes in
specific positions represented data.
Punched Cards
Vacuum Tubes Transistors Integrated
Circuit
Microprocessor Graphic User Massively
Interface (GUI) Parallel
Message-passing Punched Cards Quantum
Architecture Computing
An emerging technology that uses
the principles of quantum mechanics
to perform calculations.
Quantum
Computing
TECH 1st Generation 2nd Generation
NOLOGY (1940-1956) (1956-1963)
EVO 3rd Generation (1964-1971)
LUTION
4th Generation (1960 – 1980) 5th Generation
(1980-1990)
TECH 1st Generation
NOLOGY (1940-1956)
EVO
LUTION
Emerged in the late 1940s and
continued till the mid-1950s. These
computers were enormous,
expensive, and used vacuum tubes
to process information. They were
typically programmed using machine
language, which meant that
instructions had to be written in
binary code.
The first generation of computers
grew out of the Second World War,
when the need for faster computing
systems to break codes and perform
other military tasks drove the
development of the first computers.
ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator and
Computer)
John Mauchly and J. Presper Eckert
The ENIAC was
the first general-
purpose
electronic digital
computer, built
during World War
II to calculate
firing tables for
the US Army's
Ballistic Research
Laboratory. It was
one of the largest
machines of its
time, weighing 30
tons and
occupying a room
the size of a
basketball court.
UNIVAC (Universal Automatic Computer)
J. Presper Eckert and John Mauchly
UNIVAC was the
first commercially
available
electronic digital
computer, which
could perform
both arithmetic
and logical
operations. It was
introduced in
1951 and was
used for business
and scientific
applications.
Atanasoff-Berry Computer (ABC)
John Atanasoff and Clifford Berry
The Atanasoff-
Berry Computer
(ABC) was the
first electronic
digital computer
that used binary
digits (bits) rather
than decimal
digits for
calculation. It was
developed in the
late 1930s and
early 1940s to
solve systems of
simultaneous
linear equations.
Harvard Mark I
Howard Aiken
The Harvard Mark
I was an
electromechanical
computer that
used punched
cards for input
and output. It was
developed during
World War II and
was used for
ballistic
calculations. It
was one of the
largest machines
of its time,
weighing over five
tons and
measuring 51 feet
in length.
IBM 701
IBM
The IBM 701 was
the first general-
purpose computer
produced by IBM.
It was introduced
in 1952 and was
used for scientific
and engineering
calculations. It
had a magnetic
drum memory that
could store up to
2048 words of
data.
The first-generation computers were
bulky, slow, and limited in their
functionality. However, they laid the
foundation for the development of
computers in the subsequent
generations.
In conclusion, the first generation of
computers was marked by significant
technological advancements that laid the
foundation for modern-day computing. The
use of vacuum tubes, binary code, and
machine language was an essential
milestone in computer technology. While
these computers may seem primitive by
today's standards, they set the stage for the
innovation and advancement that was to
come.
TECH 1st Generation 2nd Generation
NOLOGY (1940-1956) (1956-1963)
EVO
LUTION
Emerged in the late 1950s and early 1960s,
was marked by the use of transistors instead
of vacuum tubes, resulting in smaller, faster,
and more reliable computers. Programmers
also switched from using machine language
to assembly language, making it easier to
write code. The invention of the transistor in
1947 by John Bardeen, Walter Brattain, and
William Shockley was a crucial milestone that
paved the way for this generation of
computers.
Programmers also switched from using
machine language to assembly language,
making it easier to write code. The
invention of the transistor in 1947 by John
Bardeen, Walter Brattain, and William
Shockley was a crucial milestone that
paved the way for this generation of
computers.
IBM 7090
IBM
The IBM 7090 was
a transistorized
mainframe
computer that was
introduced in
1959. It was an
improvement over
the IBM 709, with
faster processing
speed and more
memory. It was
used for scientific
and engineering
calculations, and
it was the first
computer to be
used in space.
UNIVAC III
Remington Rand
The UNIVAC III was
a third-generation
computer that was
introduced in 1962.
It was faster and
more reliable than
its predecessors,
with a processing
speed of up to 2.5
million instructions
per second. It was
used for business
and scientific
applications, such
as airline
reservations and
weather
forecasting.
CDC 1604
Control Data Corporation
The CDC 1604
was a third-
generation
computer that was
introduced in
1960. It was the
first computer to
use a magnetic
core memory,
which was faster
and more reliable
than the drum
memory used in
earlier computers.
It was used for
scientific and
engineering
calculations.
IBM 1401
IBM
The IBM 1401 was
a second-
generation
computer that was
introduced in
1959. It was a low-
cost computer
that was designed
for small to
medium-sized
businesses. It was
used for
accounting,
inventory control,
and other
business
applications.
PDP-1
Digital Equipment Corporation
The PDP-1 was a
second-generation
computer that was
introduced in 1959.
It was the first
computer to be built
using integrated
circuits, which made
it smaller and more
reliable than earlier
computers. It was
used for scientific
and engineering
calculations, as well
as for gaming (the
first computer game,
Spacewar!, was
developed on the
PDP-1).
The second-generation computers were
faster, smaller, and more reliable than their
predecessors. They were used in scientific
and military applications, such as weather
forecasting, atomic energy research, and
missile guidance systems. However, they
were still expensive and complex to
operate.
Marked a significant milestone in computer
technology with the development of the
transistor. The use of transistors and
assembly language made computers faster,
smaller, and more reliable, paving the way
for further advancements in technology.
TECH 1st Generation 2nd Generation
NOLOGY (1940-1956) (1956-1963)
EVO 3rd Generation (1964-1971)
LUTION
They were used in a wide range of
applications, from scientific and engineering
calculations to business and administrative
tasks. They were also more accessible to a
broader range of users, thanks to the
development of high-level programming
languages.
Marked by the invention of the integrated
circuit in 1958 by Jack Kilby of Texas
Instruments and Robert Noyce of Fairchild
Semiconductor. The integrated circuit was a
revolutionary device that allowed multiple
transistors and other components to be
built on a single chip. The first commercially
available ICs appeared in 1961, and by the
mid-1960s, ICs had replaced individual
transistors in most computers.
IBM System/360
IBM
The IBM System/360
was a mainframe
computer system
that was introduced
in 1964. It was
designed to be
compatible with a
wide range of
software, allowing
customers to
upgrade their
systems without
having to rewrite
their software. It was
used in a wide range
of applications, from
scientific and
engineering
calculations to
business and
administrative tasks.
DEC PDP-8
Digital Equipment Corporation
The DEC PDP-8
was a
minicomputer that
was introduced in
1965. It was the
first computer to
sell for under
$20,000, making it
affordable for
small businesses
and universities. It
was used for
scientific and
engineering
calculations, as
well as for
business and
administrative
tasks.
CDC 6600
Control Data Corporation
The CDC 6600
was a
supercomputer
that was
introduced in
1964. It was the
fastest computer
in the world at the
time, with a
processing speed
of up to 3 million
instructions per
second. It was
used for scientific
and engineering
calculations,
particularly in the
fields of physics
and astronomy.
HP 2116A
Hewlett-Packard
The HP 2116A was
a minicomputer
that was
introduced in 1966.
It was designed to
be used in a wide
range of
applications, from
scientific and
engineering
calculations to
business and
administrative
tasks. It was
particularly popular
in the aerospace
industry, where it
was used for flight
simulations.
Honeywell 6000
Honeywell
The Honeywell 6000
was a mainframe
computer that was
introduced in 1966.
It was used in a wide
range of
applications, from
scientific and
engineering
calculations to
business and
administrative tasks.
It was particularly
popular in the airline
industry, where it
was used for
reservations and
flight scheduling.
Marked a significant milestone in computer
technology with the invention of the
integrated circuit. The use of ICs and high-
level programming languages made
computers smaller, faster, more powerful,
and more accessible, paving the way for
further advancements in technology.
TECH 1st Generation 2nd Generation
NOLOGY (1940-1956) (1956-1963)
EVO 3rd Generation (1964-1971)
LUTION
4th Generation (1960 – 1980)
Emerged in the late 1960s and continued
through the 1970s and 1980s. This era was
marked by the development of
microprocessors, which allowed for the
creation of smaller, faster, and more
powerful computers. The use of integrated
circuits also contributed to the
miniaturization and increased functionality
of computers.
The fourth generation of computers was
characterized by the development of
personal computers, which allowed for the
widespread use of computers by individuals
and small businesses.
Altair 8800
MITS
The Altair 8800
was a
microcomputer kit
that was sold by
MITS in 1975. It
was the first
commercially
successful
personal
computer and
used the Intel
8080
microprocessor. It
had no keyboard
or screen and was
programmed
using toggle
switches.
Apple II
Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak
The Apple II was
introduced in
1977 and was the
first mass-
produced
personal
computer. It was
designed by Steve
Wozniak and
Steve Jobs and
featured color
graphics, a
keyboard, and a
cassette tape
interface for
storage.
IBM PC
IBM
The IBM PC was
introduced in
1981 and was the
first computer to
be branded as a
"personal
computer" by
IBM. It was
powered by the
Intel 8088
microprocessor
and ran on the
Microsoft Disk
Operating System
(MS-DOS). The
IBM PC set the
standard for
personal
computers.
Commodore 64
Commodore International
The Commodore
64 was introduced
in 1982 and was
one of the most
popular personal
computers of all
time. It was
powered by the
MOS Technology
6510
microprocessor
and had 64
kilobytes of
memory. The
Commodore 64
was popular for
gaming and
programming.
Macintosh
Apple
The Macintosh
was introduced in
1984 and was the
first successful
personal
computer to use a
graphical user
interface (GUI). It
was designed by
Apple and
featured a mouse,
icons, and
windows. The
Macintosh set the
standard for GUI-
based systems.
Significant step forward in computing
technology. The invention of
microprocessors and integrated circuits
enabled the creation of smaller and more
powerful computers. The introduction of
personal computers resulted in the
widespread use of computers by individuals
and small businesses, leading to the digital
revolution of the 1980s and 1990s.
TECH 1st Generation 2nd Generation
NOLOGY (1940-1956) (1956-1963)
EVO 3rd Generation (1964-1971)
LUTION
4th Generation (1960 – 1980) 5th Generation
(1980-1990)
Emerged in the 1980s and 1990s with a
focus on developing AI and NLP(Natural
language processing) technologies to
create computers that could process
information more like humans. The
Japanese government's plan to develop an
advanced computer system led to the
establishment of the
Fifth Generation Computer Systems
project, which aimed to develop a new type
of computer that used logic and reasoning
to process information. The project brought
together researchers and engineers from
the public and private sectors in Japan to
achieve this goal.
Marks a significant milestone in the history
of computing. It saw the development of
new technologies such as artificial
intelligence, natural language processing,
and robotics, which have significantly
impacted our daily lives. The introduction of
parallel processing and supercomputers
has also improved the speed and efficiency
of computers.
Fujitsu MPP (Massively Parallel Processor)
Fujitsu
The Fujitsu MPP
was a
supercomputer
that was
introduced in 1989.
It was designed to
be massively
parallel, with up to
2,048 processors
working together to
solve complex
problems. The
Fujitsu MPP was
used for scientific
research and was
one of the most
powerful
supercomputers of
its time.
Connection Machine CM-5
Thinking Machines
The Connection
Machine CM-5 was a
supercomputer that
was introduced in
1991. It was
designed to be
massively parallel,
with up to 65,536
processors working
together to solve
complex problems.
The Connection
Machine CM-5 was
used for scientific
research and was
one of the most
powerful
supercomputers of
its time.
IBM RS/6000
IBM
The IBM RS/6000
was a workstation
computer that was
introduced in 1990.
It was designed to
be powerful enough
to handle scientific
and technical
applications, such
as computer-aided
design (CAD) and
artificial intelligence
(AI). The IBM
RS/6000 was one of
the first computers
to use the PowerPC
microprocessor,
which was a joint
development
between IBM,
Motorola, and Apple.
Thinking Machines CM-2
Thinking Machines
The Thinking
Machines CM-2 was
a supercomputer
that was introduced
in 1987. It was
designed to be
massively parallel,
with up to 65,536
processors working
together to solve
complex problems.
The Thinking
Machines CM-2 was
used for scientific
research and was
one of the most
powerful
supercomputers of
its time.
Intel iPSC(Information Processing
Standards for Computers)/860
Intel
The Intel iPSC/860
was a
supercomputer
that was
introduced in
1985. It was
designed to be
massively parallel,
with up to 128
processors
working together
to solve complex
problems. The
Intel iPSC/860 was
used for
Intel iPSC(Information Processing
Standards for Computers)/860
Intel
scientific research
and was one of
the first
computers to use
a message-
passing
architecture,
which allowed
multiple
processors to
communicate with
each other. The
Intel iPSC/860 was
one of the most
powerful
supercomputers
of its time.
