Comp Funda

The evolution of computers

- When we say computer it is intended by a person knowledgeable about performing a basic

mathematical calculation with the help of any computing devices.

- It was in the year 1930’s when the evolution of the computer started.

- While the history of the computer started when the first mechanical adding machine was invented in
1642.

- The first mechanical adding machine is an abacus.

- An Abacus or also known as a calculating frame is a calculating machine capable of performing

arithmetic processes.

- The logarithm idea was invented by a man called John Napier while the invention of slide rules was
credited to a man called William Oughtred.

- Today, an abacus is constructed with a bead that can be slide in a bamboo stick or wires.

- The person who uses an abacus is called Abacist.

First Generation (Vacuum Tubes) 1939 – 1954

- The evolution of computers is divided into five generations.

- The computers in the first generation were expensive and bulky.

- Vacuum tubes was able solve problems using machine language one at a time. Computers during this
phase cannot support multitasking task.

Below are the lists of computers invented during the first generation phase.

Vacuum Tubes

- also known as “electron tube”, “thermionic valve”, or “valve” to amplify, switch, otherwise
modify, or develop an electrical signal that controls the movement of electrons in a low-pressure space.
 ABC

- The ABC or also known as Atanasoff Berry Computer in November 1939 was developed by
John V. Atanasoff in 1937called as the first electronic computer.

Z Machine

- The Z machine was the first machine capable of accepting binary and floating numbers and
invention of Konrad Zuse in 1941.

ENIAC

- The Electronic Numerical Integrator and Calculator (ENIAC) is the first general purpose
electronic computer. The ENIAC is capable of storing and saving programs. This is an invention of Vonn
Neumann at the United States (U.S) Army’s Ballistic Research Laboratory in 1946.

Second Generation (Punched card / transistor) 1954 – 1959

- With invention of transistors computers in the third generation became smaller and cheaper.

Punch Card

- A “punch card” or “Hollerith card” or “IBM card”, is a piece of paper that may contain digital
information represented by a hole in a predefined position.

- Early computing uses a punch card as a medium of inputs both for computer programs and
data.

ERMA

- ERMA or also known as Electronic Recording Machine Accounting is a project of Stanford

Research Institute. The primary function of ERMA is to automate the bookkeeping process. In 1959
ERMA was delivered to the Bank of Bank of America in California, a pioneering bank company that uses
the ERMA.

Third Generation (Chip / Integrated Circuit (IC)) 1959 – 1971

- In the 3rd generations, the semi-conductors increased the efficiency and speed of computers.
Operating systems were developed, monitors and keyboards become popular as the input and output
devices. This is the reason why the integrated Circuit or also known as IC has been developed.
Nowadays, Integrated circuits or IC are used in almost all electronic equipment and have modernized
the world of electronics.
 PDP-8

- DEC company launch the PDP-8 the first minicomputer in 1968. After launching the PDP-8, the
development of ARPANET began in in the following year 1969 where the financial backing of the
department of defense has started.

Fourth Generation (Microprocessor) 1971-1991

- 1972, Intel introduced the 8080 microprocessor.

- A microprocessor primary function is to integrates all of a central processing unit (CPU) capability on a
single integrated circuit or IC

Fifth Generation (Under the development) 1991 – beyond

- Computer system under the fifth generation is going to be based on principles of Artificial Intelligence
and Natural Language recognition.