The document traces the history and development of computing devices from ancient counting tools like the abacus to modern computers. It discusses early mechanical calculators invented by Pascal and Leibniz in the 1600s. Important milestones included Charles Babbage's analytical engine in the 1830s, the use of punch cards by Herman Hollerith in 1890, and the first programmable electronic computer, ENIAC, created at the University of Pennsylvania in 1946. The document then outlines the four generations of computers defined by technological advancements like transistors, integrated circuits, microprocessors, and graphical user interfaces.
This document summarizes the evolution of computers from the 17th century to modern times in four generations:
1) Mechanical generation (1642-1945) featuring early mechanical calculators and computers like the Pascaline, Difference Engine, and Analytical Engine.
2) Vacuum tube generation (1945-1955) including pioneering computers like Colossus, ENIAC, EDVAC, and UNIVAC I that used vacuum tubes and were programmed via switches or cables.
3) Transistor generation (1955-1965) when transistors replaced vacuum tubes, enabling smaller size and lower power. Computers included the TX-0 and IBM 7090.
4) Integrated circuit
The document summarizes the evolution of computers from ancient counting devices like the abacus to modern computers. It describes early mechanical calculating devices developed by Napier, Pascal, and Leibniz. Punched cards were introduced in the 18th century to control looms. Babbage designed analytical engines in the 1800s but they were never completed. The first digital computers like ENIAC, EDVAC, EDSAC and UNIVAC used vacuum tubes. The microprocessor was invented in 1969, leading to personal computers in the 1970s. Modern computers integrate all components into a single chip called a system on chip.
The document provides a history of computing from ancient times to the modern era in 3 generations:
1) Ancient humans used tools like stones, sticks, and their hands to calculate numbers, leading to our base-10 number system. The abacus was later invented around 3000 BC as one of the earliest computing devices.
2) Major milestones from the 1600s-1800s included the slide rule, punched card loom, and analytical engine, with Ada Lovelace recognized as the first computer programmer. Herman Hollerith's tabulating machine helped automate the US Census.
3) The modern computer age began in 1944 with Howard Aiken's Mark 1 and continued with developments like the ENIAC,
The document summarizes the history of computers from 1941 to the present. It describes some of the earliest computers including the Z3 (1941), Mark I (1944), and ABC computer (1942). The first generation of computers (1951-1958) used vacuum tubes and punch cards, were large, slow, and expensive. Some notable first generation computers included ENIAC (1945), UNIVAC (1951), and the IBM 701 (1953). Magnetic core memory became the fastest type of memory in the early 1950s.
The document summarizes the history of computers from ancient counting machines to modern electronic computers. It describes the evolution from early counting devices like the abacus to modern programmable electronic computers using integrated circuits and microprocessors. Key developments included Charles Babbage's analytical engine, Herman Hollerith's tabulating machine, ENIAC as the first general-purpose electronic computer, the invention of the transistor and integrated circuit, and the introduction of the Altair computer, IBM PC, and Macintosh launching the personal computer revolution.
Charles Babbage invented the earliest mechanical computer to reduce errors in calculations. Alan Turing helped develop early computers to break codes in World War II. The first electronic, programmable computer was Colossus, built by Tommy Flowers to decrypt German messages. Later innovations included the stored-program concept by John von Neumann and the graphical user interface by Douglas Engelbart. Steve Jobs and Bill Gates then helped drive the personal computer revolution through their companies Apple and Microsoft. Modern computers are based on integrated circuits and microprocessors, beginning with the Intel 4004 microchip.
History of Computer, History of Computing, Evolution of Computer, Generations of Computer, Past Present and Future of Computer, Abacus, Differential Engine, Analytical Engine
This document summarizes the evolution of computers from the 17th century to modern times in four generations:
1) Mechanical generation (1642-1945) featuring early mechanical calculators and computers like the Pascaline, Difference Engine, and Analytical Engine.
2) Vacuum tube generation (1945-1955) including pioneering computers like Colossus, ENIAC, EDVAC, and UNIVAC I that used vacuum tubes and were programmed via switches or cables.
3) Transistor generation (1955-1965) when transistors replaced vacuum tubes, enabling smaller size and lower power. Computers included the TX-0 and IBM 7090.
4) Integrated circuit
The document summarizes the evolution of computers from ancient counting devices like the abacus to modern computers. It describes early mechanical calculating devices developed by Napier, Pascal, and Leibniz. Punched cards were introduced in the 18th century to control looms. Babbage designed analytical engines in the 1800s but they were never completed. The first digital computers like ENIAC, EDVAC, EDSAC and UNIVAC used vacuum tubes. The microprocessor was invented in 1969, leading to personal computers in the 1970s. Modern computers integrate all components into a single chip called a system on chip.
The document provides a history of computing from ancient times to the modern era in 3 generations:
1) Ancient humans used tools like stones, sticks, and their hands to calculate numbers, leading to our base-10 number system. The abacus was later invented around 3000 BC as one of the earliest computing devices.
2) Major milestones from the 1600s-1800s included the slide rule, punched card loom, and analytical engine, with Ada Lovelace recognized as the first computer programmer. Herman Hollerith's tabulating machine helped automate the US Census.
3) The modern computer age began in 1944 with Howard Aiken's Mark 1 and continued with developments like the ENIAC,
The document summarizes the history of computers from 1941 to the present. It describes some of the earliest computers including the Z3 (1941), Mark I (1944), and ABC computer (1942). The first generation of computers (1951-1958) used vacuum tubes and punch cards, were large, slow, and expensive. Some notable first generation computers included ENIAC (1945), UNIVAC (1951), and the IBM 701 (1953). Magnetic core memory became the fastest type of memory in the early 1950s.
The document summarizes the history of computers from ancient counting machines to modern electronic computers. It describes the evolution from early counting devices like the abacus to modern programmable electronic computers using integrated circuits and microprocessors. Key developments included Charles Babbage's analytical engine, Herman Hollerith's tabulating machine, ENIAC as the first general-purpose electronic computer, the invention of the transistor and integrated circuit, and the introduction of the Altair computer, IBM PC, and Macintosh launching the personal computer revolution.
Charles Babbage invented the earliest mechanical computer to reduce errors in calculations. Alan Turing helped develop early computers to break codes in World War II. The first electronic, programmable computer was Colossus, built by Tommy Flowers to decrypt German messages. Later innovations included the stored-program concept by John von Neumann and the graphical user interface by Douglas Engelbart. Steve Jobs and Bill Gates then helped drive the personal computer revolution through their companies Apple and Microsoft. Modern computers are based on integrated circuits and microprocessors, beginning with the Intel 4004 microchip.
History of Computer, History of Computing, Evolution of Computer, Generations of Computer, Past Present and Future of Computer, Abacus, Differential Engine, Analytical Engine
The document summarizes the five generations of computers from 1946 to the present. The first generation used vacuum tubes and included the ENIAC computer. The second generation used transistors, which were more reliable than vacuum tubes. The third generation used integrated circuits, which were smaller than transistors. The fourth generation used microprocessors, which contained the CPU on a single chip. The fifth generation includes modern computers with artificial intelligence capabilities. Today's computers are classified as fourth generation and have tremendous processing power and data storage.
The document traces the history of computers from ancient counting devices like the abacus to modern machines. It discusses early mechanical calculators invented by Pascal and Babbage in the 1600s-1800s. The first modern computers of the 1940s-50s used vacuum tubes and were developed by Aiken, Eckert, Mauchly and others. The transistor was invented in 1948, making computers smaller and more reliable. Personal computers emerged in the 1970s with the Altair and IBM PC, using graphical user interfaces pioneered by the Apple Macintosh in 1984. The document also outlines the five generations of computers and their defining technologies.
The document provides a history of computers from ancient counting devices like the abacus to modern computers. Some key developments mentioned include:
- The invention of early mechanical calculators like the Pascaline in 1642 and the Leibniz calculator in 1671.
- The creation of programmable looms by Joseph Marie Jacquard in 1804 which used punched cards, a precursor to computer programming.
- The development of the Analytical Engine by Charles Babbage in 1833, considered a first computer for being programmable and using punched cards as programs.
- The invention of the transistor at Bell Labs in 1947, replacing vacuum tubes and enabling smaller computers.
- The
The document summarizes the history of computers from ancient counting devices to modern computers. It describes abacuses, Napier's bones, slide rules, Pascaline, the Analytical Engine, and other early mechanical calculating devices. It highlights the contributions of important figures like Charles Babbage, Ada Lovelace, and Herman Hollerith. The document traces the evolution of computing technology from early mechanical calculators to programmable machines and the use of punched cards to store data.
This document provides a history of computers from ancient counting devices to modern electronic digital computers. It discusses early mechanical calculating devices like the abacus and slide rule invented by John Napier. Blaise Pascal invented the first mechanical calculator called the Pascaline in 1642. Charles Babbage designed the Difference Engine and Analytical Engine, prototypes for the first automatic programmable computer. Herman Hollerith developed the first electro-mechanical punch card tabular in 1890. John von Neumann's work in the 1940s established the architecture for modern computers. The first general-purpose electronic digital computers, ENIAC and UNIVAC, were completed in 1946 and 1951 respectively.
The document provides a history of computers from ancient calculating devices like the abacus to early modern computers. It describes inventions like Napier's Bones, the slide rule, Pascal's calculator, and the stepped reckoner that helped advance calculating capabilities. Punched cards were introduced that could store data and instructions. Figures like Babbage, Hollerith, and Von Neumann then developed early programmable computers like the Mark I, ENIAC, and EDVAC. The first computer for commercial use was the UNIVAC, which was given to the US Bureau of Census in 1951.
The document summarizes the history of computers in 3 generations:
First generation (1937-1946) included the earliest electronic digital computers like the ABC and ENIAC. These computers used vacuum tubes, could only perform one task at a time, and had no operating systems.
The second generation (1947-1962) used transistors instead of vacuum tubes. The first commercial computer, UNIVAC I, was introduced. IBM's 650 and 700 series popularized commercial computing. Storage expanded to tape and disk.
The third generation (1963-present) began with integrated circuits, making computers smaller, more powerful, and able to run multiple programs simultaneously. Personal computers like the IBM PC and Macintosh launched the personal
Early computers were mechanical machines created by inventors like Leonardo Da Vinci to help with calculations. Through the 1800s and early 1900s, mechanical calculators and tabulating machines were developed to help mathematicians and clerks with complex calculations. The first modern electronic computers then emerged in the 1940s, including ENIAC which was made of vacuum tubes. The 1950s saw the development of smaller mainframe computers using transistors instead of tubes. By the 1970s, microcomputers for personal use emerged like the MITS Altair and IBM PC, using magnetic disks and chips. Today's computers have further miniaturized into portable laptops and hybrid tablet computers.
Computer generations can be categorized into five periods:
1) First generation (1945-1955) used vacuum tubes and were very large, expensive and unreliable.
2) Second generation (1955-) replaced vacuum tubes with transistors, making computers smaller, cheaper to maintain and more powerful.
3) Third generation (1960s) used integrated circuits which further increased speed and efficiency by miniaturizing transistors onto silicon chips.
4) Fourth generation (1970s) used microprocessors on chips smaller than a postage stamp, providing tremendous computing capabilities.
5) Fifth generation (1980s-) began exploring artificial intelligence and included desktop, laptop, palmtop, server and super computer variants for different needs.
The document summarizes the history of computers from ancient counting devices like the abacus to modern computers. It describes the evolution from early mechanical computers invented by Pascal and Leibniz to electronic computers like the Analytical Engine and Mark 1. It then outlines the five generations of computers, defining each generation by the integrated circuitry and describing examples from each era, from transistor computers to modern devices using artificial intelligence.
The document traces the evolution of early calculating devices and computers from the abacus to the modern microprocessor. It discusses the development of calculating machines like the slide rule and Pascal's calculator. It then covers early mechanical computers invented by figures like Babbage and Hollerith. It outlines the progression from vacuum tube computers to transistor computers to integrated circuit computers. It concludes by discussing the development of the microprocessor and ambitions for artificial intelligence in fifth generation computing.
The document traces the evolution of computers from early mechanical calculating devices like the abacus to modern electronic computers. It discusses the development of semi-automatic mechanical calculators in the 17th-19th centuries built by pioneers like Pascal, Leibniz, and Babbage. The first general purpose programmable computer was Babbage's Analytical Engine in the 1830s. Electronic computers emerged in the 1940s like ENIAC and EDVAC using vacuum tubes. Transistors were introduced in the 1950s ushering in smaller, faster computers. Integrated circuits from the 1960s led to yet smaller personal computers. The evolution continues with artificial intelligence as the next frontier.
Evolution of computers/computer evolution/c++Archie
The document summarizes the evolution of computers over time from ancient calculating devices to modern machines. It discusses five generations of computers:
1) First generation (1940-1956) used vacuum tubes and were large, slow, expensive and unreliable. Major computers included ENIAC.
2) Second generation (1956-1963) used transistors which made computers smaller, faster and more reliable but were still mainly used for scientific tasks.
3) Third generation (1964-1971) used integrated circuits, making computers faster, cheaper and more common in offices.
4) Fourth generation (1971-present) used microprocessors and microcomputers, leading to widespread personal computing.
5) Fifth generation (present and
The document summarizes the five generations of computer evolution from 1940 to present day. The first generation used vacuum tubes, were room-sized, and relied on punched cards. The second generation used transistors, were smaller but still generated heat. The third generation used integrated circuits, were smaller and cheaper with keyboards/monitors. The fourth generation used microprocessors on a single chip, could be networked, and developed many programming languages. The fifth generation aims to develop artificial intelligence with natural language and learning capabilities.
This document provides a brief overview of some key events and innovations in computer history from 1937 to 2015. It describes the creation of some of the earliest computers like the Model K adder and Z2, the founding of Hewlett-Packard, and the completion of the Complex Number Calculator which enabled remote access computing. Later developments discussed include the Ferranti Mark I as the first commercially available general-purpose computer, the introduction of early transistor computers like the NEAC 2203, and the release of early home computers like the VIC-20 and personal devices like the Apple Watch.
This analyses the history and progress of computers and the internet based on the CAPE syllabus Unit 1 Module 1 for Information Technology. It also looks at telecommunication then and now.
The document summarizes the history of computers, beginning with early counting methods using stones, pebbles, fingers and marks. It then discusses the abacus as the first mathematical device for calculations, invented by the Chinese over 5,000 years ago. Later inventions included Napier's Bones, Pascal's mechanical calculator, and Babbage's Analytical Engine, which had elements of a modern computer and established Babbage as the father of the modern computer.
The document provides a brief history of computers over several generations from ancient calculating devices like the abacus to modern digital computers. It discusses early mechanical computers from the 17th century through early electronic computers of the 1940s-50s. The five generations of computers are then outlined from first generation vacuum tube computers of 1942-1955 to the emerging fifth generation with artificial intelligence capabilities. Different types of computers like analog, digital, and hybrid systems are also defined.
1. Information technology refers to the use of computers and software to manage information, including storing, protecting, processing, transmitting, and retrieving information.
2. The history of information technology spans from early writing systems to modern computers. Key developments include the abacus, mechanical calculators, punch cards, mainframe computers, and personal computers.
3. Modern information technology is digital and based on integrated circuits and microprocessors. Advances like graphical user interfaces, operating systems, and the internet have driven the widespread use of personal computers and mobile devices.
The document summarizes the six generations of computers from mechanical devices like the abacus to modern electronic computers. It describes key inventions and advancements that defined each generation, such as Charles Babbage's Analytical Engine, the first general-purpose computer ENIAC which used vacuum tubes, the development of integrated circuits and microprocessors, and advancements in artificial intelligence. The sixth generation saw the rise of microchips which allowed computers to perform complex tasks while becoming smaller, faster, and more integrated into networks.
Computers have evolved greatly over time, starting as simple mechanical aids like the abacus and advancing to modern electronic digital computers. Some key developments include Charles Babbage designing plans for the first general-purpose computer in the 1830s; the creation of the first functional computer called the Mark I by Howard Aiken in 1944; the invention of the transistor in 1948, which made computers smaller and more reliable; the development of programming languages like BASIC in the 1960s; and the creation of early personal computers like the Altair in 1975 and the Apple I in 1976, which helped usher in the personal computer revolution.
The document outlines the history of computers in 5 eras: pre-history, electronics, mini, micro, and network. Some key events include the development of the abacus in 300 BC, Charles Babbage's analytical engine in the 1830s, the first general purpose electronic computer (ENIAC) in 1945, the development of integrated circuits in 1959 which enabled the mini computer era, the first microprocessor from Intel in 1971 which led to the microcomputer era and personal computers from Apple, IBM and others, and the establishment of ARPANET in 1969 which evolved into the Internet and World Wide Web, marking the network era.
The document summarizes the five generations of computers from 1946 to the present. The first generation used vacuum tubes and included the ENIAC computer. The second generation used transistors, which were more reliable than vacuum tubes. The third generation used integrated circuits, which were smaller than transistors. The fourth generation used microprocessors, which contained the CPU on a single chip. The fifth generation includes modern computers with artificial intelligence capabilities. Today's computers are classified as fourth generation and have tremendous processing power and data storage.
The document traces the history of computers from ancient counting devices like the abacus to modern machines. It discusses early mechanical calculators invented by Pascal and Babbage in the 1600s-1800s. The first modern computers of the 1940s-50s used vacuum tubes and were developed by Aiken, Eckert, Mauchly and others. The transistor was invented in 1948, making computers smaller and more reliable. Personal computers emerged in the 1970s with the Altair and IBM PC, using graphical user interfaces pioneered by the Apple Macintosh in 1984. The document also outlines the five generations of computers and their defining technologies.
The document provides a history of computers from ancient counting devices like the abacus to modern computers. Some key developments mentioned include:
- The invention of early mechanical calculators like the Pascaline in 1642 and the Leibniz calculator in 1671.
- The creation of programmable looms by Joseph Marie Jacquard in 1804 which used punched cards, a precursor to computer programming.
- The development of the Analytical Engine by Charles Babbage in 1833, considered a first computer for being programmable and using punched cards as programs.
- The invention of the transistor at Bell Labs in 1947, replacing vacuum tubes and enabling smaller computers.
- The
The document summarizes the history of computers from ancient counting devices to modern computers. It describes abacuses, Napier's bones, slide rules, Pascaline, the Analytical Engine, and other early mechanical calculating devices. It highlights the contributions of important figures like Charles Babbage, Ada Lovelace, and Herman Hollerith. The document traces the evolution of computing technology from early mechanical calculators to programmable machines and the use of punched cards to store data.
This document provides a history of computers from ancient counting devices to modern electronic digital computers. It discusses early mechanical calculating devices like the abacus and slide rule invented by John Napier. Blaise Pascal invented the first mechanical calculator called the Pascaline in 1642. Charles Babbage designed the Difference Engine and Analytical Engine, prototypes for the first automatic programmable computer. Herman Hollerith developed the first electro-mechanical punch card tabular in 1890. John von Neumann's work in the 1940s established the architecture for modern computers. The first general-purpose electronic digital computers, ENIAC and UNIVAC, were completed in 1946 and 1951 respectively.
The document provides a history of computers from ancient calculating devices like the abacus to early modern computers. It describes inventions like Napier's Bones, the slide rule, Pascal's calculator, and the stepped reckoner that helped advance calculating capabilities. Punched cards were introduced that could store data and instructions. Figures like Babbage, Hollerith, and Von Neumann then developed early programmable computers like the Mark I, ENIAC, and EDVAC. The first computer for commercial use was the UNIVAC, which was given to the US Bureau of Census in 1951.
The document summarizes the history of computers in 3 generations:
First generation (1937-1946) included the earliest electronic digital computers like the ABC and ENIAC. These computers used vacuum tubes, could only perform one task at a time, and had no operating systems.
The second generation (1947-1962) used transistors instead of vacuum tubes. The first commercial computer, UNIVAC I, was introduced. IBM's 650 and 700 series popularized commercial computing. Storage expanded to tape and disk.
The third generation (1963-present) began with integrated circuits, making computers smaller, more powerful, and able to run multiple programs simultaneously. Personal computers like the IBM PC and Macintosh launched the personal
Early computers were mechanical machines created by inventors like Leonardo Da Vinci to help with calculations. Through the 1800s and early 1900s, mechanical calculators and tabulating machines were developed to help mathematicians and clerks with complex calculations. The first modern electronic computers then emerged in the 1940s, including ENIAC which was made of vacuum tubes. The 1950s saw the development of smaller mainframe computers using transistors instead of tubes. By the 1970s, microcomputers for personal use emerged like the MITS Altair and IBM PC, using magnetic disks and chips. Today's computers have further miniaturized into portable laptops and hybrid tablet computers.
Computer generations can be categorized into five periods:
1) First generation (1945-1955) used vacuum tubes and were very large, expensive and unreliable.
2) Second generation (1955-) replaced vacuum tubes with transistors, making computers smaller, cheaper to maintain and more powerful.
3) Third generation (1960s) used integrated circuits which further increased speed and efficiency by miniaturizing transistors onto silicon chips.
4) Fourth generation (1970s) used microprocessors on chips smaller than a postage stamp, providing tremendous computing capabilities.
5) Fifth generation (1980s-) began exploring artificial intelligence and included desktop, laptop, palmtop, server and super computer variants for different needs.
The document summarizes the history of computers from ancient counting devices like the abacus to modern computers. It describes the evolution from early mechanical computers invented by Pascal and Leibniz to electronic computers like the Analytical Engine and Mark 1. It then outlines the five generations of computers, defining each generation by the integrated circuitry and describing examples from each era, from transistor computers to modern devices using artificial intelligence.
The document traces the evolution of early calculating devices and computers from the abacus to the modern microprocessor. It discusses the development of calculating machines like the slide rule and Pascal's calculator. It then covers early mechanical computers invented by figures like Babbage and Hollerith. It outlines the progression from vacuum tube computers to transistor computers to integrated circuit computers. It concludes by discussing the development of the microprocessor and ambitions for artificial intelligence in fifth generation computing.
The document traces the evolution of computers from early mechanical calculating devices like the abacus to modern electronic computers. It discusses the development of semi-automatic mechanical calculators in the 17th-19th centuries built by pioneers like Pascal, Leibniz, and Babbage. The first general purpose programmable computer was Babbage's Analytical Engine in the 1830s. Electronic computers emerged in the 1940s like ENIAC and EDVAC using vacuum tubes. Transistors were introduced in the 1950s ushering in smaller, faster computers. Integrated circuits from the 1960s led to yet smaller personal computers. The evolution continues with artificial intelligence as the next frontier.
Evolution of computers/computer evolution/c++Archie
The document summarizes the evolution of computers over time from ancient calculating devices to modern machines. It discusses five generations of computers:
1) First generation (1940-1956) used vacuum tubes and were large, slow, expensive and unreliable. Major computers included ENIAC.
2) Second generation (1956-1963) used transistors which made computers smaller, faster and more reliable but were still mainly used for scientific tasks.
3) Third generation (1964-1971) used integrated circuits, making computers faster, cheaper and more common in offices.
4) Fourth generation (1971-present) used microprocessors and microcomputers, leading to widespread personal computing.
5) Fifth generation (present and
The document summarizes the five generations of computer evolution from 1940 to present day. The first generation used vacuum tubes, were room-sized, and relied on punched cards. The second generation used transistors, were smaller but still generated heat. The third generation used integrated circuits, were smaller and cheaper with keyboards/monitors. The fourth generation used microprocessors on a single chip, could be networked, and developed many programming languages. The fifth generation aims to develop artificial intelligence with natural language and learning capabilities.
This document provides a brief overview of some key events and innovations in computer history from 1937 to 2015. It describes the creation of some of the earliest computers like the Model K adder and Z2, the founding of Hewlett-Packard, and the completion of the Complex Number Calculator which enabled remote access computing. Later developments discussed include the Ferranti Mark I as the first commercially available general-purpose computer, the introduction of early transistor computers like the NEAC 2203, and the release of early home computers like the VIC-20 and personal devices like the Apple Watch.
This analyses the history and progress of computers and the internet based on the CAPE syllabus Unit 1 Module 1 for Information Technology. It also looks at telecommunication then and now.
The document summarizes the history of computers, beginning with early counting methods using stones, pebbles, fingers and marks. It then discusses the abacus as the first mathematical device for calculations, invented by the Chinese over 5,000 years ago. Later inventions included Napier's Bones, Pascal's mechanical calculator, and Babbage's Analytical Engine, which had elements of a modern computer and established Babbage as the father of the modern computer.
The document provides a brief history of computers over several generations from ancient calculating devices like the abacus to modern digital computers. It discusses early mechanical computers from the 17th century through early electronic computers of the 1940s-50s. The five generations of computers are then outlined from first generation vacuum tube computers of 1942-1955 to the emerging fifth generation with artificial intelligence capabilities. Different types of computers like analog, digital, and hybrid systems are also defined.
1. Information technology refers to the use of computers and software to manage information, including storing, protecting, processing, transmitting, and retrieving information.
2. The history of information technology spans from early writing systems to modern computers. Key developments include the abacus, mechanical calculators, punch cards, mainframe computers, and personal computers.
3. Modern information technology is digital and based on integrated circuits and microprocessors. Advances like graphical user interfaces, operating systems, and the internet have driven the widespread use of personal computers and mobile devices.
The document summarizes the six generations of computers from mechanical devices like the abacus to modern electronic computers. It describes key inventions and advancements that defined each generation, such as Charles Babbage's Analytical Engine, the first general-purpose computer ENIAC which used vacuum tubes, the development of integrated circuits and microprocessors, and advancements in artificial intelligence. The sixth generation saw the rise of microchips which allowed computers to perform complex tasks while becoming smaller, faster, and more integrated into networks.
Computers have evolved greatly over time, starting as simple mechanical aids like the abacus and advancing to modern electronic digital computers. Some key developments include Charles Babbage designing plans for the first general-purpose computer in the 1830s; the creation of the first functional computer called the Mark I by Howard Aiken in 1944; the invention of the transistor in 1948, which made computers smaller and more reliable; the development of programming languages like BASIC in the 1960s; and the creation of early personal computers like the Altair in 1975 and the Apple I in 1976, which helped usher in the personal computer revolution.
The document outlines the history of computers in 5 eras: pre-history, electronics, mini, micro, and network. Some key events include the development of the abacus in 300 BC, Charles Babbage's analytical engine in the 1830s, the first general purpose electronic computer (ENIAC) in 1945, the development of integrated circuits in 1959 which enabled the mini computer era, the first microprocessor from Intel in 1971 which led to the microcomputer era and personal computers from Apple, IBM and others, and the establishment of ARPANET in 1969 which evolved into the Internet and World Wide Web, marking the network era.
As early as the 17th century, mathematicians were working to build machines that could perform basic math functions like addition and multiplication. In 1804, Charles Babbage designed the difference engine, an early general purpose computer with a mechanical memory. Generations of computers are defined by their underlying technology: first used vacuum tubes (1940s), second used transistors (1950s), third used integrated circuits (1960s), fourth used microprocessors (1970s), and fifth aims to use artificial intelligence, with some applications like voice recognition in use today.
The document summarizes the history of computers over 5 generations from the 17th century to present day. It describes the progression from early mechanical calculators and computers using punched cards, to modern computers that are now tiny microchips containing millions of transistors. Key developments included Charles Babbage's analytical engine, the first stored program computer, the invention of the vacuum tube and transistor, integrated circuits, microprocessors, and the creation of personal computers by companies like IBM and Apple. Current and future computers are exploring artificial intelligence and fifth generation technologies.
The document provides a history of early computing devices and the evolution of computers through generations. It describes the earliest manual mechanical devices like the abacus. It then outlines the development of mechanical aids like Napier's Bones in the 1600s, the Pascaline adding machine in 1642, and Leibniz's Stepped Reckoner in 1694. The Jacquard loom of 1801 was an early programmable machine. Charles Babbage designed analytical engines in the 1800s but they were not completed. Herman Hollerith invented the tabulating machine using punched cards for automated data processing. Early electronic computers of the 1940s-50s included ENIAC, EDVAC, EDSAC and UNIV
This document summarizes the five generations of computers from the 1940s to present. The first generation used vacuum tubes and were large, expensive machines. The second generation introduced transistors, making computers smaller and more reliable. The third generation used integrated circuits, further reducing size and power needs. The fourth generation used VLSI chips and marked the beginning of personal computers. The fifth generation continues advancing processor and memory technology, artificial intelligence, and parallel processing.
History of computer and classification of computersRoopsi Srivastava
The history of computers began thousands of years ago with the abacus, used in China as an early counting device. The first programmable computer was invented in Germany in the 1930s, while the first digital commercial computer was the ENIAC, created in the 1940s. In the 1980s, Bill Gates and Steve Jobs drove the personal computer revolution by making computers more accessible and user-friendly through Microsoft and Apple. They established the foundations for how people interact with computers today.
The document discusses the five generations of computers from the first to fifth generation. [1] The first generation used vacuum tubes and were very large in size. [2] The second generation used transistors and were smaller with magnetic storage. [3] The third generation used integrated circuits and were smaller still with multiple users accessing remote terminals.
The document discusses the five generations of computers. The first generation used vacuum tubes and punched cards, the second used transistors instead of vacuum tubes, and the third used integrated circuits made from many transistors. The fourth generation used silicon chips which were reliable and cheap, and the fifth generation uses artificial intelligence and parallel processing with superconductors.
The five generations of computers presentationSwarnima Tiwari
The document discusses the five generations of computers from the 1940s to present. The first generation used vacuum tubes, took up entire rooms, and were expensive. The second generation introduced transistors, making computers smaller and more efficient. The third generation used integrated circuits and silicon chips, allowing for interaction through keyboards and monitors. The fourth generation began using microprocessors, leading to the development of personal computers and networks. Current and future computers are exploring artificial intelligence and quantum computing.
The document introduces computers and their components. It defines a computer as an electronic device that processes data according to stored instructions. The main components are the central processing unit, memory, storage devices, input/output devices, and communication devices. Storage devices store data and include hard drives, flash drives, CDs/DVDs. Computers come in various forms including desktops, laptops, servers, supercomputers, and embedded systems. The document also covers advantages like speed and storage, and disadvantages such as health risks and privacy issues.
The document discusses the five generations of computers from the 1940s to present. The first generation used vacuum tubes, were enormous in size, and had low processing speeds. The second generation used transistors, were smaller and more reliable. The third generation used integrated circuits, which were faster and cheaper to produce. The fourth generation used microprocessors, allowing computers to become smaller and more personal. Current computers are considered fifth generation, pursuing artificial intelligence and new technologies like quantum computing.
The document summarizes key events and innovations in the history of computers from ancient times to the present. It describes the abacus from 3000 BC, the slide rule from 1622, early mechanical calculators and computers from the 1600s-1800s, the first general purpose computer designed by Charles Babbage in 1833, the first digital computer ENIAC from 1946, the first commercial computer UNIVAC from 1952, and the development of integrated circuits, microprocessors and personal computers that ushered in newer generations from the 1960s onward.
Computer,history,generations,and its types.roshan ali
This document provides an overview of computer generations, types of computers, and the history of computers. It discusses the five generations of computers from the first generation using vacuum tubes to the current fifth generation using artificial intelligence. It also describes the main types of computers as analog, digital, and hybrid. Finally, it outlines some of the major developments in computer history from early mechanical calculators to modern devices, showing how technology has progressed rapidly from vacuum tubes to semiconductors to microprocessors.
The document provides a brief history of computers. It begins by explaining that the earliest computers were people who performed calculations and counting. It then discusses Charles Babbage, who invented the first mechanical computing machine and is considered the Father of Computer. Additionally, Blaise Pascal invented the first mechanical calculator called the Pascaline. The document ends by asking students if they have any questions.
The document summarizes the four generations of computers from 1945 to present day. The first generation used vacuum tubes and were large and unreliable. The second generation used transistors, which were smaller and more durable. The third generation used integrated circuits, making computers even smaller and cheaper. The fourth generation used VLSI technology, allowing millions of transistors to fit on a single chip and making computers widely affordable for homes and schools. Today's computers are classified as fourth generation and have tremendous processing power and data storage capacity.
Introduction to Basic Computer Concepts PresentationAna Tan
The document discusses the history and evolution of computers from early calculating aids like the abacus to modern computers. It describes inventions like the Pascaline, the first mechanical calculator, the Difference Engine, an early mechanical computer, and the ENIAC, one of the first general-purpose electronic computers. It then discusses the development of personal computers starting in the 1970s and the introduction of devices like the Apple I, IBM PC, and early netbooks.
The document provides an overview of basic computer systems. It discusses the main types of computers including personal computers, mainframes, minicomputers, and supercomputers. It then describes the typical components of a computer system including the central processing unit, memory, control unit, arithmetic logic unit, and input/output devices. Finally, it discusses operating systems and how they control the hardware and allow users to interact with applications and the computer.
The document discusses the five generations of computers from the first to fifth generation. The first generation used vacuum tubes and were large, expensive, and generated a lot of heat. The second generation used transistors which were smaller, more reliable, and used less energy. The third generation used integrated circuits which made computers even smaller and more efficient. The fourth generation used microprocessors, making computers more powerful yet compact. The fifth generation focuses on artificial intelligence.
This document discusses the five generations of computers from the first to the fifth generation. The first generation used vacuum tubes and were very large, expensive, and generated a lot of heat. The second generation used transistors which made computers smaller, cheaper, and more reliable. The third generation used integrated circuits which further improved reliability and size. The fourth generation used VLSI circuits and saw the rise of personal computers. The fifth generation, still in development, aims to develop true artificial intelligence using technologies like parallel processing and quantum computing.
The document traces the history and development of early computing devices from ancient counting tools like the abacus to modern computers. It discusses early pioneers like Napier, Pascal, and Leibnitz who developed early mechanical calculating devices. It then outlines the development of programmable computers through pioneers like Babbage, Hollerith, Aiken, and von Neumann. It describes the evolution of computers through five generations from vacuum tube computers to modern devices based on artificial intelligence.
This document provides brief biographies of 17 inventors and their contributions to the development of computers and related technologies:
- Blaise Pascal and Wilhelm Schickard invented early mechanical calculators in the 17th century. Joseph-Marie Jacquard created a programmable loom attachment using punched cards. Charles Babbage conceived of the first mechanical computer.
- Ada Lovelace wrote the first computer program. Konrad Zuse built the first freely programmable computer. John Atanasoff and Clifford Berry's ABC computer pioneered elements of modern computing.
- Howard Aiken and Grace Hopper developed the Harvard Mark I, one of the earliest general-purpose computers. ENIAC,
This document provides brief biographies of several important figures in the early history and development of computing technology:
- Blaise Pascal and Joseph-Marie Jacquard contributed to the development of mechanical calculators and programmable looms using punched cards in the 17th-18th centuries.
- Charles Babbage conceived of the first general-purpose mechanical computer, the Analytical Engine, in the 19th century. Ada Lovelace wrote algorithms for it, making her the first computer programmer.
- Konrad Zuse developed the first freely programmable computer, the Z3, in the 1940s. John Atanasoff and Clifford Berry developed the ABC, considered by some to
The document summarizes the history and evolution of computers from the early mechanical calculators operated by human "computers" through the development of modern electronic digital computers. Key developments included Charles Babbage's proposed analytical engine in the 1800s, Herman Hollerith's use of punched cards to mechanize census counting in the late 1800s, the first general-purpose electronic computers like ENIAC in the 1940s, the invention of the stored-program concept in the 1940s-50s, the development of transistors and integrated circuits which made computers smaller and faster from the 1950s-1970s, and the invention of the microprocessor which enabled personal computers.
The document provides a history of the evolution of computers from ancient times to modern digital computers. It discusses early mechanical calculating devices like the abacus and slide rule. Important early pioneers in computer development included Charles Babbage, who designed mechanical general-purpose computers in the 1800s called the Difference Engine and Analytical Engine, and Herman Hollerith, who developed punched cards. The first electronic general-purpose computers developed in the 1940s included the ENIAC and EDVAC, which were based on the concept of the stored program developed by John von Neumann. The invention of the transistor and microchip led to smaller, cheaper computers and the development of personal computers in subsequent generations.
The document traces the history of computers from early mechanical aids like the abacus and slide rule, through early electromechanical computers like the Analytical Engine, ENIAC, and UNIVAC, to the development of integrated circuits, microprocessors, and personal computers which led to the age of modern computing we experience today. Key developments included the stored program concept, the invention of the transistor and microprocessor, advances in data storage from punch cards to magnetic tape and disks, and the rise of time-sharing and personal computing. These advances drove computers to become smaller, faster, and more accessible to larger groups of users over time.
Here are the answers to your questions:
1. Computer generations refer to the different stages in the technological development of computers based on major technological advances. Each generation has significant improvements in components, performance and cost from the previous generation.
2. The different computer generations are:
- First generation (1946-1958): Used vacuum tubes, magnetic drums for memory. Examples: ENIAC, UNIVAC.
- Second generation (1959-1964): Used transistors instead of vacuum tubes, magnetic core memory. Examples: IBM 1401, IBM 1620.
- Third generation (1965-1974): Used integrated circuits, semiconductor memory. Examples: IBM 360, PDP-8.
- Fourth generation (1975-1990
The document provides a historical overview of the evolution of computing from ancient times to the present. It discusses four periods: 1) The Pre-Mechanical Age, from 3000 BC to 1450 AD, when early numbering systems, writing, and mechanical calculators like the abacus were developed. 2) The Mechanical Age from 1450-1840, bringing advances like printing, logarithms, and early mechanical calculators. 3) The Electromechanical Age from 1840-1940 saw electricity harnessed for telecommunications and electromechanical machines. 4) The Electronic Age from 1941 onward led to programmable, stored-program computers like Z3, Mark I, and ABC.
The first computers were human "computers", predominantly women, who performed calculations by hand. Early mechanical aids included the abacus and Napier's Bones. The first programmable digital computer was the Harvard Mark I, built in 1944. The ENIAC, completed in 1946, was the first fully electronic general-purpose computer. The integrated circuit, invented in 1958, led to smaller, more powerful computers and the development of the microprocessor in the 1970s enabled personal computers. Bill Gates left Harvard to start Microsoft and write software for the Intel-based IBM PC, launched in 1981, which popularized personal computing.
Early computing devices included the abacus and machines built by Blaise Pascal and Charles Babbage in the 1600s-1800s to assist with mathematical calculations. Herman Hollerith developed the first tabulating machine in the late 1800s to help automate the U.S. census, laying the foundation for IBM. The first modern electronic computers were developed in the 1940s, including the Mark I, ENIAC, and EDVAC, which stored data and programs electronically rather than through manual rewiring. These innovations established the basics of the modern programmable computer.
The document provides a history of early computing devices and computers from ancient abacuses up to modern times. It discusses early mechanical calculating devices developed by Pascal, Leibniz, and Babbage. Babbage designed plans for an "Analytical Engine" in the 1800s but it was not built. The document then summarizes the generations of electronic computers from the 1940s onwards, highlighting the transition from vacuum tubes to transistors to integrated circuits. It describes the key technological developments that defined each generation and enabled computers to become smaller, faster, and more capable over time.
sejarah komputer dari awal sampai saat iniNisSan25
The document provides a detailed history of the development of computing from ancient times through the modern era. It discusses early counting devices like the abacus, followed by mechanical calculators in the 1500s-1800s. Punched cards and programmable computers using vacuum tubes were developed in the 1930s-40s. The stored program concept was pioneered in the 1940s, leading to general purpose computers. The invention of the microprocessor in the 1970s enabled the personal computer revolution. The document also summarizes the development of the Internet from early concepts in the 1960s to the creation of ARPANET in the late 1960s.
historyof computer and generation of computerdivyajohnisg
The document provides a history of computers from early human computers to modern devices. It describes the earliest mechanical calculating devices like the abacus. The first programmable computers were invented in the 1800s but were still mechanical. The first electronic computer, ENIAC, was completed in 1946. Integrated circuits in the third generation made computers smaller and cheaper. The fourth generation saw the development of microprocessors and networks. The fifth generation pursues artificial intelligence capabilities.
The document discusses the history and evolution of computers from ancient counting devices like the abacus to modern digital computers. It begins with early mechanical calculators invented by Pascal and Leibniz in the 1600s. Important developments include Babbage's analytical engine design in the 1830s, Hollerith's tabulating machine used for the 1890 US Census, and the first programmable digital computer, the Harvard Mark I, built in 1944. The document then covers the five generations of computers from vacuum tube-based machines to today's portable devices and discusses different types of computers like mainframes, supercomputers, and analog versus digital systems.
The document provides a history of computer systems from ancient counting methods to modern artificial intelligence. It describes how early counting devices like the abacus evolved into mechanical calculators invented by Napier, Pascal, and Leibniz. Charles Babbage then invented the Analytical Engine, considered the first computer. The document then outlines the five generations of modern computers, from the first generation's vacuum tubes to today's fifth generation of artificial intelligence using parallel processing and superconductors.
6. Generations & types of Computer - ( CSI-321) ghayour abbas
The document provides a history of computers from ancient times to the first generation of computers in the 1940s-1950s. It describes early counting devices like the abacus and advances in mathematics. Key figures who contributed to early calculating machines are mentioned, such as Pascal, Leibniz, and Babbage who envisioned a programmable computer. Major milestones include the first general purpose electronic computer (ENIAC), the stored program concept with EDVAC/EDSAC, and the first commercial computer (UNIVAC I). The first generation of computers used vacuum tubes, were enormous in size, and could only solve one problem at a time.
The document discusses the history of computers through different generations. It describes how early "computers" were human beings who performed calculations before mechanical devices were developed. Some of the earliest mechanical computers included the abacus, Napier's Bones, the Pascaline calculator, and Leibniz's stepped reckoner. Significant figures like Babbage, Lovelace, and Hopper contributed to early computer development through ideas for programmable engines and debugging. The document traces the evolution of computing technology from simple mechanical aids to modern electronic computers.
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4. http://www.badrinathkadam.wordpress.com Abacus The earliest device that qualifies as a computer is the abacus. The abacus was invented 5,000 years ago in Asia Minor and is still in use today. This device allows user to calculate, by sliding beads arrangement on rack.
7. http://www.badrinathkadam.wordpress.com Blaise Pascal (1623-1662) In 1642 Blaise Pascal, the 18 year old son of a French tax collector, invented a numerical wheel calculator to help his father in calculation. This device was known as “Pascaline” and was only able to add two numbers.
11. http://www.badrinathkadam.wordpress.com Charles Babbage (1791-1871) An English mathematician, Professor Charles Babbage made a “difference Engine” in 1833, which was powered by steam to solve mathematical equations. After 10 years, in 1842, he made a general purpose computer named “Analytical Engine”. This analytical engine could add, subtract, multiply and divide in automatic sequence at a rate of 60 additions per second.
14. http://www.tusharkute.com Lady Ada Augusta Lovelace (1816-1852) Lady Ada Augusta Lovelace was an English woman. Charles Babbage was her ideal. She studied and translated his works, adding her extensive footnotes. She was called as a first programmer because of her suggestion that punched cards could be prepared to instruct Babbage’s engine to repeat certain operations. http://www.badrinathkadam.wordpress.com
15.
16. http://www.tusharkute.com Herman Hollerith (1860-1929) In 1890, an American Herman Hollerith applied the idea of punchboards in the form of punch cards in computers for input and output. He invented a punched card tabulating machine. http://www.badrinathkadam.wordpress.com
26. John Presper Eckert (1919-1995) and John Mauchly (1907-1980) of the University of Pennsylvania Moore School of Engineering http://www.badrinathkadam.wordpress.com
27. http://www.badrinathkadam.wordpress.com ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer) was made by Dr. John W. Mauchly collaborated with J. Presper Eckert, Jr. at the University of Pennsylvania. It was 1000 times faster than Mark I. It occupied 15000 square feet of floor spacing and weighs 30 tons. The ENIAC could do 5000 additions per minute. John Von Neumann designed the EDVAC (Electronic Discrete Variable Automatic Computer).
BCE (Before Common Era) is the now correct term in place of the more traditional BC (Before Christ). CE (Common Era) replaces AD (Anno Domini). After all, not everyone has a Christo-centric view of the world.
John Napier, a Scotsman, invented logarithms which use lookup tables to find the solution to otherwise tedious and error-prone mathematical calculations.
This famous French philosopher and mathematician invented the first digital calculator to help his father with his work collecting taxes. He worked on it for three years between 1642 and 1645. The device, called the Pascaline, resembled a mechanical calculator of the 1940's. It could add and subtract by the simple rotation of dials on the machine’s face.
Leibnitz’s Stepped Reckoner could not only add and subtract, but multiply and divide as well. Interesting thing about the Stepped Reckoner is that Leibnitz’s design was way ahead of his time. A working model of the machine didn’t appear till 1791, long after the inventor was dead and gone.
Joseph-Marie Jacquard was a weaver. He was very familiar with the mechanical music boxes and pianolas, pianos played by punched paper tape, which had been around for some time. One day he got the bright idea of adapting the use of punched cards to control his looms. If you look carefully at the picture on the right, and those on the following slide, you can see a continuous roll of these cards, each linked to the other, the holes in them punched strategically to control the pattern of the weave in the cloth produced by the loom. All the weaver had to do was work the loom without needing to think about the design of the cloth. Brilliant! Jacquard revolutionized patterned textile weaving. His invention also provided a model for the input and output of data in the electro-mechanical and electronic computing industry.
Here you see Jacquard’s workers preparing the cards for the looms. The looms became known as Jacquard looms, and today one of the premier fabric manufacturers is named after Joseph-Marie Jacquard.
Charles Babbage is recognized today as the Father of Computers because his impressive designs for the Difference Engine and Analytical Engine foreshadowed the invention of the modern electronic digital computer. Try and get a biography of Babbage if you can. He led a fascinating life, as did all the folks involved in the history of computers. He also invented the cowcatcher, dynamometer, standard railroad gauge, uniform postal rates, occulting lights for lighthouses, Greenwich time signals, heliograph opthalmoscope. He also had an interest in cyphers and lock-picking, but abhorred street musicians.
The precision machine tooling that produced these intricate machines could not have been achieved in an earlier age. Babbage’s inventions were born of the advances in technology that accompanied the Industrial Revolution. The Difference Engine was never fully built. Babbage drew up the blueprints for it while still an undergrad at Cambridge University in England. But while it was in process of being manufactured, he got a better idea and left this work unfinished in favor of the Analytical Engine illustrated on the next slide. The Analytical Engine was eventually built completely in the latter half of the 19th century, by Georg and Edvard Schuetz as per Babbage’s blueprints. Film footage exists of the machine in operation, and it is truly a sight to behold, a testament not only to Babbage’s genius, but also to the manufacturing prowess of the age.
Charles Babbage’s Analytical Engine Charles Babbage’s Analytical Engine. The Analytical Engine was intended to use loops of Jacquard's punched cards to control an automatic calculator, which could make decisions based on the results of previous computations. This machine was also intended to employ several features subsequently used in modern computers, including sequential control, branching, and looping.
Babbage owes a great debt to Lady Augusta Ada, Countess of Lovelace. Daughter of the famous romantic poet, Lord Byron, she was a brilliant mathematician who helped Babbage in his work. Above all, she documented his work, which Babbage never could bother to do. As a result we know about Babbage at all. Ada, who was a splendid mathematician and one of the few people who fully understood Babbage's vision, created a program for the Analytical Engine. Had the Analytical Engine ever actually worked, Ada's program would have been able to compute a mathematical sequence known as Bernoulli numbers. Based on this work, Ada is now credited as being the first computer programmer and, in 1979, a modern programming language was named ADA in her honor. remember that guys. Women are just as talented as men when it comes to math, science, and engineering, and society should recognize that and do its utmost to encourage girls to get into these important and lucrative fields.
Electricity was discovered long before it was actually named as such. One Sir Thomas Browne is supposed to have come up with the term “electricity”. It was a while before electricity was used to power computing machines.
Herman Hollerith worked as a statistician for the U.S. Census Bureau in the 1880s and 1890s. The U.S. Constitution requires a census count every ten years so that the membership of the House of Representatives will be proportional to the population of each state. This is always a moving target, hence the ten year review of the current state of demographic affairs. The 1880 census took seven years to process. The end of the 19th/beginning of the 20th centuries was the period of highest rate of immigration to the United States. Hollerith deduced, and it didn’t take a rocket scientist to conclude, that the next census would take longer than ten years, the results not available before the whole census counting thing had to start again. So, as the saying goes, “necessity became the mother of invention” and Hollerith designed and built the Census Counting Machine illustrated here and in the next slide. Punched cards (a la Jacquard looms) were used to collect the census data (the origin of the IBM punched cards) and the cards were fed into a sorting machine before being read by the census counting machine which recorded and tabulated the results. Each card was laid on an open grid. A matrix of wires was lowered onto the card and wherever there was a hole in the card, a wire fell through, making an electrical connection which triggered a count on the appropriate dial(s) in the face of the machine. Very simple, very effective. The 1890 census took just three months to process even though quite a bit more data was collected than ever before. Hollerith was the first American associated with the history of computers. As you might expect, he was also the first to make a bunch of money at it. His company, the Tabulating Machine Company, became the Computer Tabulating Recording Company in 1913 after struggling in the market and merging with another company that produced a similar product. The company hired a gentleman named Thomas J. Watson in 1918 who was primarily instrumental in turning the company around. In 1924, the company was renamed International Business machines (IBM) Corporation. The rest, as they say, is history…
Here you can see the sorter on the right and the census counting machine on the left.
While a professor of Physics at Harvard, Howard Aiken, illustrated above, was supported by IBM to build the ASCC computer (Automatic Sequence Controlled Calculator). The computer had mechanical relays (switches) which flip-flopped back and forth to represent mathematical data. It was huge (of course), weighing some 35 tons with 500 miles of wiring. The guts of the machine was comprised of IBM counting machines.
John Vincent Atanasoff’s contribution to the history of computers is little known, thanks to the preoccupations of his university and the shenanigans of two rival inventors of electronic digital machines. Read on to find out more…
The story of modern electronic digital computing should start with Alan Turing who published a paper in 1936 On Computable Numbers, with an application to the Entscheidungs problem . The paper proved that a machine capable of processing a stream of 1s and 0s according to programmed instructions would be capable of solving any problem that would count as a 'definite method.' As it happens, the set of problems included in this definition is the universe of mechanically solvable problems. Hence, the Turing Machine is also known as the Universal Machine, the theoretical precursor to the electronic digital computer which Atanasoff was soon to invent.
Interesting story of how Atanasoff came up with the stroke of genius to design his computer the way he did. He’d been thinking about it for a long time, convinced there had to be a way of doing math mechanically and thus save his PhD students at Iowa State College (now Iowa State University) in Ames, Iowa, from wasting time on math when they could be doing more interesting work in Physics. One evening in the winter of 1937, the problem proved particularly taxing for him, so he did what he was accustomed to doing in situations such as this: he got into his car and drove at high speeds for several hours, thus effectively clearing his mind. Eventually he crossed into the neighboring state of Illinois and stopped at a bar where he ordered a draft of liquid refreshment (bourbon). This had a wondrous effect on his state of mind, enabling him to think with a calm clarity that led step-by-step to coherent conclusions about the design of his electronic digital computer. Back at the lab, in the Spring of 1939, he hired Clifford Berry, an bright electrical engineering student, and together they invented the Atanasoff-Berry Computer, the ABC. Within a year, the basic machine was completed and a paper written documenting its design. The paper was forwarded to the university’s patent lawyer. With World War II well underway, Atanasoff was given leave from the university to join the Naval Ordnance Laboratory for defense-related work. Work on the ABC came to a halt. The patent was never filed….
Dr. Clifford Berry had a distinguished career of his own outside of contribution in the invention of the electronic digital computer. He was issued 19 patents in the area of mass spectrometry, 11 patents in various areas of vacuum and electronics and, at the time of his death, had 13 patents pending. He died suddenly on October 30, 1963.
The ABC was a digital computer, so-called because it processed data in discrete, digital units (the digits 1 and 0). It also used the binary (base 2) number system in computation, the results being converted to and from decimal (base 10) for the purposes of human consumption. Being binary, the data could easily be represented electronically since switches naturally have two states—on and off—which lend themselves to representing the numbers or values 1 and 0. The ABC used vacuum tubes, punched cards and a memory device that looked like a drum (shown in the pictures on the slide being held by Atanasoff and as it was located in the working machine).
Another little known story in the history of computers relates the work of the government boffins in World War II Britain, Turing included. Turing made a major contribution to the development of a sophisticated computing machine called the Colossus which was used to help crack the codes of the German Enigma Machine. The story didn’t come out till the 1970s because it was top secret, for obvious reasons. You can read more about cryptography in a fascinating book written by Simon Singh: THE CODE BOOK. The Secret History of Codes and Code-Breaking . Those of you interested in learning more about cryptography and even using cryptography to protect your privacy can work your way through our tutorial on PGP (Pretty Good Privacy) which you will find available free of charge online at http://www.pitt.edu/~poole/PGPintro.htm.
J. Presper Eckert (at right in the picture on this slide) and John Mauchly were professors in the Moore School of Engineering at the University of Pennsylvania. Mauchly invited himself to Atanasoff’s home for a long weekend in order to check out the ABC. Atanasoff made him welcome, showed him his machine, and gave him a copy of the paper describing the workings of the machine that already had been filed with the Iowa State College’s patent lawyer. Mauchly returned to Pennsylvania and, together with Eckert, designed and built the ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer) which was commissioned by the U.S. Department of Defense and delivered in 1946. Eckert and Mauchly successfully filed for the patent as inventors of the electronic digital computer, ignoring Atanasoff’s work. Some thirty years later, in 1972, this injustice was rectified when Honeywell (for Atanasoff) successfully challenged Sperry Rand (the company that acquired Eckert and Mauchly’s patent), and Atanasoff and Berry were duly credited as being the inventors of the electronic digital computer. Mauchly died in 1980. Eckert died in 1995, one week before the nonogenarian Atanasoff. You might say that Atanasoff had the last laugh.
The ENIAC: 30 tons, 18,000 vacuum tubes, with the computing power of little more than the modern calculator…..