History of Computers

PAULINA 11G

Introduction to computers
Computer:
programmable electronic device designed to
accept data, perform prescribed mathematical and logical
operations at high speed, and display the results of these
operations. Mainframes, desktop and laptop computers,
tablets, and smartphones are some of the different types of
computers (dictionary.com)
The general purpose for computers is to extend our thinking,
solve problems, entertainment, expand our conceptual
understanding, do man made programs, and give us
information

Pre-computer Age (pre 1930s)

The first computer was abacus, made in China around 500Bc
The first computer used for addition was made by Blaise
Pascal in 1642
The first concept of an automatic computing engine (computer)
was made by Charles Babbage in 1832

Many consider this to be one of the greatest achievement in

computer history, as it was one of the first ideas for a more
modern computer

The first computer that was able to add numbers that had a
full numeric keyboard was made by William Burroughs in 1888

First Generation (1940-1956)

Computers used vacuum tubes and magnetic drums for
memory
Used a lot of electronic and generated a lot of heat, which
caused many malfunctions
Used a lot of space, often taking whole rooms
Relied on machine language and could only solve one problem
at a time
The UNIVAC and ENIAC were the first examples; the UNIVAC
was the first commercial computer delivered to a client

Second Generation (1956-1963)

Transitions replaced vacuum tubes
This made computers smaller, cheaper, faster, more energy
efficient, and more reliable than the ones from the first
generation
They relied on punched cards for input and printouts for output
This ones used assembly language which specified instructions in
words
Used magnetic cores to store instructions in their memories

Third Generation (1964-1971)

Used integrated circuits
Transistors were placed on silicon chips (semiconductors)
Computers were faster and more efficient than the ones of last
generation
First ones to interact with keyboards and a mouse
First ones to be available for the public

Fourth Generation (1971-present)

The integrated circuits were made into a single silicon chip
The Intel 4004 had all the components of the computer
Apple made their first computer (Macintosh) in this generation
Many
computers
microprocessors

and

everyday

objects

now

Development of GUIs, mouse, and handheld devices

used

Fifth Generation (present and beyond)

Computers are starting to use artificial intelligence
Use parallel processing
Quantum computation and molecular and nanotechnology will
change computers for future years
The goal is to make it capable to respond to natural language
Part of every day life

computers?
In my opinion, the most significant advancement is when Bill Gates started to
make computers and founded Microsoft
Wrote his first software program when he was 13
He went to Harvard with his friend Paul Allen to make the first
microcomputers. After their success, the left Harvard

They decided to create a company and start making computers years later
with a program called MS-DOS

Years later, Bill Gates is considered a PC kingmaker

My computer is a PC, so I may be a bit biased, but Im so glad Bill Gates
founded Microsoft

Bibliography

Dictionary.com. Dictionary.com. Web. 9 Sept. 2015.

"Evolution of Computers." Tripod. Tripod. Web. 23 Sept. 2015.

<http://m2media.tripod.com/computers.htm#1>

Beal, Vangie. "The Five Generations of Computers." - Webopedia.

Quinstreet Enterprise, 6 Sept. 2015. Web. 8 Sept. 2015.
<http://www.webopedia.com/DidYouKnow/Hardware_Software/FiveGener
ations.asp>.

"Invention of the PC." History.com. A&E Television Networks. Web. 9

Sept. 2015. <http://www.history.com/topics/inventions/invention-of-thepc>.

"Bill Gates | Biography - American Computer Programmer, Businessman,

and Philanthropist." Britannica. Encyclopedia Britannica, 15 July 2014.
Web. 27 Sept. 2015. <http://www.britannica.com/biography/Bill-Gates>.

Thanks for
Reading