Introduction to
Informat ion and
Communication
Technology
Information and Communication Technology (ICT) refers to the various
technologies and tools used to transmit, process, and store digital
information. It has revolutionized how we live, work, and communicate in
the modern world.
by Mary Jane Jaramilla
ICT encompasses a wide ICT enables efficient and
range of digital devices instant communication
and software, including through platforms like
computers, smartphones, email, video conferencing,
the internet, and various and social media.
applications.
ICT facilitates the storage, processing, and analysis of large
amounts of data, supporting decision-making and problem-
solving.
Brief History of ICT
1 1940s-1960s
2 1970s-1980s
3 1990s-2000s
History of ICT
1940s: The Birth of Electronic Computing
• ENIAC (1945): The Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer (ENIAC),
developed by John Presper Eckert and John Mauchly at the University of
Pennsylvania, was one of the first general-purpose electronic digital computers.
It used vacuum tubes and was capable of performing complex calculations much
faster than any previous machines.
• Colossus (1943-1945): Developed by British engineer Tommy Flowers, Colossus
was a series of computers used by British codebreakers to decrypt German
communications during World War II. It is considered the world's first
programmable digital electronic computer.
History of ICT
1950s: The Rise of Commercial Computing and Early
Telecommunications
• The Development of Transistors (1947): The invention of the transistor at Bell
Labs by John Bardeen, Walter Brattain, and William Shockley revolutionized
electronics by replacing bulky vacuum tubes. This led to smaller, faster, and
more reliable computers.
• UNIVAC I (1951): The Universal Automatic Computer I (UNIVAC I) was the first
commercially available computer, designed for business and government use. It
marked the beginning of the computer industry as we know it today.
History of ICT
1950s: The Rise of Commercial Computing and Early
Telecommunications
• IBM and the Mainframe Era: IBM became a dominant player in the computing
industry with the introduction of its mainframe computers, such as the IBM 701
(1952) and IBM 650 (1954). These machines were used by businesses,
universities, and government agencies.
• Telecommunications Advances: The 1950s saw the development of early
modems and data communication systems, which laid the groundwork for
computer networking. The first transatlantic telephone cable (TAT-1) was also
laid in 1956, significantly improving international communication
History of ICT
1960s: The Dawn of the Modern Computer and Networking
• Integrated Circuits (ICs): In the late 1950s and early 1960s, the invention of the
integrated circuit by Jack Kilby (Texas Instruments) and Robert Noyce (Fairchild
Semiconductor) revolutionized electronics. ICs allowed multiple transistors to be
placed on a single chip, leading to more compact and powerful computers.
• IBM System/360 (1964): IBM introduced the System/360, a family of computers
that could run the same software across different models. This was a major step
towards standardization in computing and made it easier for businesses to
invest in technology.
History of ICT
1960s: The Dawn of the Modern Computer and Networking
• The Early Internet: In the 1960s, the concept of networking computers began to
take shape. The Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA) in the United States
started the ARPANET project in 1969, which is considered the precursor to the
modern internet. ARPANET initially connected four universities and was
designed to facilitate the sharing of research and resources.
• Packet Switching: Developed by Paul Baran and Donald Davies independently,
packet switching is a method of data transmission that breaks information into
smaller packets. This technology was fundamental in the development of the
ARPANET and, later, the internet.
History of ICT
1970s: The Rise of Personal Computing and Networking
Microprocessors and Personal Computers:
• Intel 4004 (1971): Intel released the 4004, the first commercially available
microprocessor. This chip was a key innovation, enabling the development of
smaller and more affordable computers.
• Altair 8800 (1975): Often considered the first successful personal computer,
the Altair 8800 was a kit that hobbyists could assemble. It used the Intel 8080
microprocessor and sparked the personal computing revolution.
• Apple I and Apple II (1976-1977): Founded by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and
Ronald Wayne, Apple released the Apple I in 1976, followed by the Apple II in
1977. The Apple II was one of the first highly successful mass-produced
personal computers, known for its user-friendly interface and expandability.
History of ICT
1970s: The Rise of Personal Computing and Networking
Operating Systems and Software Development:
• UNIX (1969-1971): Developed by AT&T's Bell Labs, UNIX became a foundational
operating system for many computers, especially in academic and professional
settings. Its design influenced many future operating systems, including Linux.
• Microsoft and BASIC (1975): Bill Gates and Paul Allen founded Microsoft and
developed a version of the BASIC programming language for the Altair 8800.
This marked the beginning of Microsoft's dominance in software development.
History of ICT
1970s: The Rise of Personal Computing and Networking
Networking and Early Internet:
• ARPANET Expansion: The ARPANET, developed in the late 1960s, continued to
expand throughout the 1970s, connecting more universities and research
institutions. In 1972, email was introduced on ARPANET, becoming one of its
most popular applications.
• TCP/IP Protocol (1974): Vint Cerf and Bob Kahn developed the Transmission
Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), which became the standard for
transmitting data over networks. TCP/IP is the foundation of the modern
internet.
• Ethernet (1973): Developed by Robert Metcalfe at Xerox PARC, Ethernet
became the standard technology for local area networks (LANs), allowing
computers within a building or campus to communicate with each other.
Personal Computers Go Mainstream:
• IBM PC (1981): IBM entered the personal computer market with the IBM PC,
which became a standard in business and home computing. Its open
architecture allowed third-party developers to create compatible software and
hardware, fueling the growth of the PC industry.
• Microsoft DOS and Windows: Microsoft provided the operating system, MS-
DOS, for the IBM PC. In 1985, Microsoft released the first version of Windows, a
graphical operating system that would later dominate the PC market.
• Apple Macintosh (1984): Apple introduced the Macintosh, the first mass-
market personal computer with a graphical user interface (GUI) and a mouse.
The Mac's ease of use and innovative design made it popular in creative
industries.
History of ICT
1980s: The Personal Computing Boom and the Birth of
the Modern Internet
Software Industry Growth:
• Lotus 1-2-3 (1983): Lotus Development Corporation released Lotus 1-2-3, a
spreadsheet program that became the "killer app" for the IBM PC, driving its
adoption in businesses.
• Microsoft Office (1989): Microsoft released the first version of Microsoft Office,
a suite of productivity software that included Word, Excel, and PowerPoint,
setting the standard for office productivity tools.
Networking and the Internet:
• Domain Name System (DNS, 1983): The DNS was introduced to map human-
readable domain names (like "example.com") to IP addresses, making the
internet easier to navigate.
• The National Science Foundation Network (NSFNET, 1986): NSFNET was
established to connect research and education institutions across the United
States. It became the backbone of the internet, leading to the transition from
ARPANET to the modern internet.
• The World Wide Web (1989): Tim Berners-Lee, a scientist at CERN, proposed
the World Wide Web, a system of hyperlinked documents accessible via the
internet. This concept would revolutionize information sharing and
communication in the coming decade.
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Advances in Personal Computing:
• Windows 95 (1995): Microsoft released Windows 95, a major upgrade
to its operating system that introduced features like the Start menu and
taskbar. It became widely popular, solidifying Microsoft's dominance in
the PC market.
• Open Source Movement: The 1990s also saw the rise of the open-
source software movement, with the release of Linux (1991) by Linus
Torvalds and the growth of the GNU Project. Open-source software
became a significant force in the development of ICT.
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History of ICT
2020s: The Era of Digital Transformation and
Emerging Technologies
5G Networks:
• 5G Rollout: The rollout of 5G networks began in the early 2020s,
offering faster speeds, lower latency, and greater connectivity. 5G is
expected to enable advancements in IoT, autonomous vehicles, smart
cities, and augmented reality (AR) applications.
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History of ICT
2020s: The Era of Digital Transformation and
Emerging Technologies
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Importance of ICT in the
Modern World
Improved Productivity Enhanced
Communication
ICT enhances efficiency and
streamlines workflows, ICT facilitates seamless
enabling faster and more communication and
accurate task completion. collaboration, bridging
geographical and cultural
barriers.
Data-driven Decisions Increased Accessibility
ICT tools provide access to vast ICT enables the democratization
amounts of data, supporting of information and education,
informed decision-making and empowering individuals and
problem-solving. communities.
ICT enhances the learning ICT enables remote consultations,
experience through digital tools, electronic medical records, and
online resources, and interactive advanced medical imaging and
platforms. diagnostics.
ICT automates processes, ICT-powered infrastructure and
improves supply chain services optimize urban planning,
management, and facilitates data- transportation, and resource
driven decision-making. management.
Impact of ICT in the Society
