Early history and background of computer

One of the earliest and most well-known devices was an abacus. Then in 1822, the
father of computers, Charles Babbage began developing what would be the first
mechanical computer. And then in 1833 he actually designed an Analytical Engine
which was a general-purpose computer. It contained an ALU, some basic flow chart
principles and the concept of integrated memory.
Then more than a century later in the history of computers, we got our first electronic
computer for general purpose. It was the ENIAC, which stands for Electronic
Numerical Integrator and Computer. The inventors of this computer were John W.
Mauchly and J.Presper Eckert.
And with times the technology developed and the computers got smaller and the
processing got faster. We got our first laptop in 1981 and it was introduced by Adam
Osborne and EPSON.
The Evolution of Computers

The first modern computer was created in the 1930s and was called the Z1,
which was followed by large machinery that took up entire rooms. 
In the '60s, computers evolved from professional use to personal use, as the
first personal computer was introduced to the public.
In the 1980s, Apple introduced its first computer, the Macintosh, and has
dominated the computer industry ever since with laptops and tablets. 
The 1930s marked the beginning of calculating machines, which were
considered the first programmable computers.

Konrad Zuse
created what became known as the 
first programmable computer, the Z1, in
1936 in his parent's living room in Berlin.
He assembled metal plates, pins, and old
film, creating a machine that could easily
add and subtract. Although his early models
were destroyed in World War II, Zuse is
credited with creating the first digital
computer. 
In the 1940s, computers took up entire rooms, like the ENIAC, which was
once called a "mathematical robot."

In the 1940s, computers took up entire rooms, like

the ENIAC, which was once called a
"mathematical robot."
A computer room. John Mauchly created the
ENIAC during World War II to help the Army with
ballistics analytics. The machine 
could calculate thousands of problems each second
. The large-scale ENIAC weighed 30 tons and
needed a 1,500-square-foot room to house the 40
cabinets, 6,000 switches, and 18,000 vacuum tubes
that comprise the machine. 
Some call this invention the 
beginning of the computer age.
In the 1950s, computers were strictly used for scientific and engineering
research, like the JOHNNIAC, which was once described as a "helpful
assistant" for mathematicians.
In the 1950s, computers were strictly used for
scientific and engineering research, like the
JOHNNIAC, which was once described as a
"helpful assistant" for mathematicians.
A man working at a computer in the '50s. The 
JOHNNIAC was completed in 1954 and was used
by RAND researchers. The massive machine
weighed just over two tons with over 5,000
vacuum tubes. This early computer operated for
13 years or 51,349 hours before being dismantled. 
In the 1960s, everything changed when the Programma 101 became the
first desktop computer sold to the average consumer.

In the 1960s, everything changed when the

Programma 101 became the first desktop
computer sold to the average consumer.
Programma 101. 
Pierce Fuller/ Wikimedia CommonsUp until 1965,
computers were reserved for mathematicians and
engineers in a lab setting. The 
Programma 101 changed everything, by offering
the general public a desktop computer that anyone
could use. The 65-pound machine was the size of
a typewriter and had 37 keys and a printer built-
in. 
The Italian invention ushered in the idea of the
personal computer that would last to this day. 
As personal computers became popular in the 1970s, the Xerox Alto helped
pave the way for Steve Jobs' Apple.
As personal computers became popular in the
1970s, the Xerox Alto helped pave the way for
Steve Jobs' Apple.
Xerox Alto. Francisco Antunes/ FlickrThe Xerox
Alto 
was created in the '70s as a personal computer that
could print documents and send emails. What was
most notable about the computer was its design,
which included a mouse, keyboard, and screen.
This state-of-the-art design would 
later influence Apple designs in the following
decade. 
The Alto computers were also designed to be kid-
friendly so that everyone — no matter the age —
could operate a personal computer. 
In the '80s, Apple's Macintosh was described as a game-changer for the
computer industry.

In the '80s, Apple's Macintosh was described as a

game-changer for the computer industry.
The Macintosh. Raneko/ FlickrWhen Steve Jobs
introduced the first Macintosh computer in 1984,
Consumer Reports called it a "dazzling display of
technical wizardry." Like the Xerox Alto, the
Macintosh had a keyboard, a mouse, and a small
9-inch screen. 
The computer — which weighed in at 22 pounds a
nd cost $2,495
 — was applauded for its interface of windows
and icons. 
As the '90s marked a period of self-expression, Apple released the famous
iMac G3, which was customizable.

As the '90s marked a period of self-expression, Apple

released the famous iMac G3, which was customizable.
iMac G3. Marcin Wichary/ FlickrThe iMac G3 
was launched in 1998 after Steve Jobs' return to Apple in 19
97.
 The computer quickly became known for its Bondi blue,
clear casing. The 38-pound iMac included USB ports, a
keyboard, and a mouse. It was meant to be portable and
customizable. 
The company 
sold 800,000 computers in the first five months, saving
Apple from extinction. The iMac is also notable because it
was the first time Apple used the "I" to name its products,
explaining it stood for "internet," "innovation," and
"individuality." 
In the early 2000s, laptops became increasingly popular, especially after
Apple launched its MacBook Air.
In the early 2000s, laptops became increasingly
popular, especially after Apple launched its
MacBook Air.
In 2008, Steve Jobs slid 
the first MacBook Air from a manila envelope and
shocked the audience at Apple's Macworld with
how thin the laptop was. 
Measuring only 0.76-inch thick, the expertly
designed laptop changed the industry forever.
Apple got rid of the CD drive and only included a
USB port and a headphone jack. At the time, the
minimalistic device cost $1,799. 
Today, computers come in all shapes and sizes, including tablets.

Today, computers come in all shapes and

sizes, including tablets.
A tablet. Hollis johnson Today's most
innovative computers are tablets, which
are simple touchscreens without a
keyboard or a mouse. Although tablet
sales are on the decline, 
33 million tablets were sold in 2018.
The market is also 
filled with other computer models,
including the MacBook Pro, iMac,
Dell XPS, and iPhones. 
 Personalities and important dates/ periods in
computer

Charles Babbage
He is considered by some to be
"father of the computer"
Was an English polymath. A
mathematician, philosopher, inventor
and mechanical engineer, Babbage
originated the concept of a digital
programmable computer.

26 December 1791 – 18 October 1871

 John William Mauchly
also called John W. Mauchly, born
August 30, 1907, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
—died January 8, 1980, Ambler,
Pennsylvania, American physicist and
engineer, coinventor in 1946, with John
P. Eckert, of the Electronic Numerical
Integrator and Computer (ENIAC), the
first general-purpose electronic computer.

August 30, 1907 - January 8, 1980

 John Adam Presper Eckert Jr.
Was an American electrical engineer and
computer pioneer. With John Mauchly, he
designed the first general-purpose electronic
digital computer (ENIAC), presented the first
course in computing topics (the Moore School
Lectures), founded the Eckert–Mauchly Computer
Corporation, and designed the first commercial
computer in the U.S., the UNIVAC, which
incorporated Eckert's invention of the mercury
delay-line memory.

April 9, 1919 – June 3, 1995

 Abacus
The abacus (plural abaci or abacuses), also called a counting frame, is a calculating tool which has been
used since ancient times. It was used in the ancient Near East, Europe, China, and Russia, centuries
before the adoption of the Hindu-Arabic numeral system.[1] The exact origin of the abacus has not yet
emerged. It consists of rows of movable beads, or similar objects, strung on a wire. They represent digits.
One of the two numbers is set up, and the beads are manipulated to perform an operation such as
addition, or even a square or cubic root.

In their earliest designs, the rows of beads could be loose on a flat surface or sliding in grooves. Later the
beads were made to slide on rods and built into a frame, allowing faster manipulation. Abacuses are still
made, often as a bamboo frame with beads sliding on wires. In the ancient world, particularly before the
introduction of positional notation, abacuses were a practical calculating tool. The abacus is still used to
teach the fundamentals of mathematics to some children, for example, in Russia.
 Generations of computer
 1st Generation: This was from the period of 1940 to 1955. This was when machine language was
developed for the use of computers. They used vacuum tubes for the circuitry. For the purpose of
memory, they used magnetic drums. These machines were complicated, large, and expensive. They
were mostly reliant on batch operating systems and punch cards. As output and input devices,
magnetic tape and paper tape were implemented. For example, ENIAC, UNIVAC-1, EDVAC, and so
on.
 2nd Generation: The years 1957-1963 were referred to as the “second generation of computers” at
the time. In second-generation computers, COBOL and FORTRAN are employed as assembly
languages and programming languages. Here they advanced from vacuum tubes to transistors. This
made the computers smaller, faster and more energy-efficient. And they advanced from binary to
assembly languages. For instance, IBM 1620, IBM 7094, CDC 1604, CDC 3600, and so forth.
 3rd Generation: The hallmark of this period (1964-1971) was the development of the integrated circuit.  A
single integrated circuit (IC) is made up of many transistors, which increases the power of a computer
while simultaneously lowering its cost. These computers were quicker, smaller, more reliable, and less
expensive than their predecessors. High-level programming languages such as FORTRON-II to IV,
COBOL, and PASCAL PL/1 were utilized. For example, the IBM-360 series, the Honeywell-6000 series,
and the IBM-370/168.
 4th Generation: The invention of the microprocessors brought along the fourth generation of computers.
The years 1971-1980 were dominated by fourth generation computers. C, C++ and Java were the
programming languages utilized in this generation of computers. For instance, the STAR 1000, PDP 11,
CRAY-1, CRAY-X-MP, and Apple II. This was when we started producing computers for home use.
 5th Generation: These computers have been utilized since 1980 and continue to be used now. This is the
present and the future of the computer world. The defining aspect of this generation is artificial
intelligence. The use of parallel processing and superconductors are making this a reality and provide a lot
of scope for the future. Fifth-generation computers use ULSI (Ultra Large Scale Integration) technology.
These are the most recent and sophisticated computers. C, C++, Java,.Net, and more programming
languages are used. For instance, IBM, Pentium, Desktop, Laptop, Notebook, Ultrabook, and so on.
 Types of Computers
 Analog Computers – Analog computers are built with various components such as gears and levers,
with no electrical components. One advantage of analogue computation is that designing and building
an analogue computer to tackle a specific problem can be quite straightforward.
 Digital Computers – Information in digital computers is represented in discrete form, typically as
sequences of 0s and 1s (binary digits, or bits). A digital computer is a system or gadget that can
process any type of information in a matter of seconds. Digital computers are categorized into many
different types. They are as follows:
 Mainframe computers – It is a computer that is generally utilized by large enterprises for
mission-critical activities such as massive data processing.
 Supercomputers – The most powerful computers to date are commonly referred to as supercomputers.
Supercomputers are enormous systems that are purpose-built to solve complicated scientific and industrial
problems. Quantum mechanics, weather forecasting, oil and gas exploration, molecular modelling, physical
simulations, aerodynamics, nuclear fusion research, and cryptoanalysis are all done on supercomputers.
 Minicomputers – A minicomputer is a type of computer that has many of the same features and capabilities
as a larger computer but is smaller in size. Minicomputers, which were relatively small and affordable, were
often employed in a single department of an organization and were often dedicated to a specific task or
shared by a small group.
 Microcomputers – A microcomputer is a small computer that is based on a microprocessor integrated
circuit, often known as a chip. A microcomputer is a system that incorporates at a minimum a
microprocessor, program memory, data memory, and input-output system (I/O). A microcomputer is now
commonly referred to as a personal computer (PC).
 Embedded processors – These are miniature computers that control electrical and mechanical processes
with basic microprocessors. Embedded processors are often simple in design, have limited processing
capability and I/O capabilities, and need little power.