EVOLUTION OF
COMPUTERS
LEARNING OUTCOMES
Describe the brief evolution of computers
1.1.2 EVOLUTION OF COMPUTERS
Before the era of computer begins, counting
machine was invented to help people with
business industry. The usage of counting
machine, begin as early as 200 B.C. Evolution of
computers can be traced at 7 stages:
The early years
First generation
Second generation
Third generation
Fourth generation
Fifth generation
New era generation
THE EARLY YEARS
YEAR INVENTION
200 BC Chinese Abacus (First counting machine)
500 BC Egyptian Abacus
1620 John Napier invented Napier’s Bone (Multiplication table
carves on bones)
1653 Blaise Pascal invented Pascaline
1673 Gottfried Wilhelm Von Leibniz invented Leibniz’s Rechner
(which use first binary mathemathic calculating machine)
1801 Joseph Marie Jacquard invented weaving loom (using punch
card technology)
1823 Charles Babbage invented mechanical calculator machine.
1941 Mark 1 was invented in Harvard University. The first computer
which is slow, expensive and unreliable. It uses mechanical
switches
FIRST GENERATION (1940-1956)
Huge, slow, expensive and often unreliable.
In 1946, two Americans, Presper Eckert and Willian
Mauchly build the ENIAC (Electronic Numerical
Integrator and Computer).
It use vacuum tube instead of mechanical switches
of the MARK 1.
ENIAC
Presper Eckert Willian Mauchly
MARK 1 Vacuum tube
In 1951, Eckert and Mauchly build the UNIVAC
(Universal Automatic Computer) , which could
calculate at the rate of 10,000 addition per seconds.
New invention of hardware were needed with the
new computer technology.These technologies are:
TECHNOLOGY DETAILS
An electronic tube about the size
of light bulbs. It was used as the
Vacuum Tube internal computer components.
Thousands of them were used.
Punched card was used to store
data.
Punched Card
Introduced in 1957. It is used to
store data. A faster and more
compact method of storing data.
Magnetic Tape
PROBLEM……
the vacuum tubes generated a great deal of heat
causing many problems in temperature regulation
and climate control
the tubes also burnt out frequently
people operating the computer did not know that
the problem was in the programming machine
SECOND GENERATION (1956-1963)
The second generation computer scientists
invented something new due to lots of problem
created by vacuum tubes
The famous computer scientists during the second
generation era :
The creation of transistor sparks the production of
second generation computers. Transistor is a small
devices use to transfer electronic signal across a
resistor.
The advantages of transistor:
Smaller than vacuum tubes
Need no warm up time
Consumed less energy
Generated much less heat
Faster
More reliable
THIRD GENERATION (1964-1971)
In the third generation era, the IBM 370 series were
introduced in 1964. It came in several models and
sizes.It was used for business and scientific
programs. Other computer models introduced were
CDC 7600 and B2500.
FOURTH GENERATION (1971-PRESENT)
It took only 55 years for the 4 generations to evolve.
The growth of the computer industry developed
technologies of computer inventions. There are
many types of computer models such as:
There are many types of computer models such as:
Apple Macintosh
IBM
DELL
ACER
1971, Intel created the first microprocessor.
1976, Steve Jobs built the first Apple computer.
1981, IBM introduced its first personal computer.
Steve Jobs Bill Gates Micheal Dell
FIFTH GENERATION (PRESENT & BEYOND )
Technologically advance and are still being
development to become more efficient.
Other modern computer devices:
• silicone chips
• processor
• robotics
• virtual reality
• intelligent systems
• programs which translate languages
NEW ERA COMPUTER
After the fifth generation computer, the technology
of computer has become more advanced, modern
and sophisticated. The latest invention in the era of
computers are :
Mobile Computer
Super Computers
Mainframe Computers
Mini Computers
Personal Computers
Mobile Computer
Super Computers
Mini Computers
Personal Computers
Mainframe Computers
