History of the Computer History of Computers Development

History of Computers • Development of computers began with many early inventions: – The

Nineteenth-Century Inventions • The nineteenth century brought further inventions: – Charles Babbage’s Difference Engine

First-Generation Computers During World War II, the first generation of modern computers was introduced.

Second-Generation Computers The second generation of computers (c. 1956) was marked by: – A

Third-Generation Computers • With the invention of integrated circuits (ICs), computers became smaller and

Fourth-Generation Computers • Computers became smaller and more affordable, and available to small businesses

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History of the Computer

History of Computers • Development of computers began with many early inventions: – The abacus helped early societies perform computations (c. 3000 B. C. ) – The Pascaline used moveable gears to add numbers with up to eight digits (1642).

Abacus

Pascaline

Nineteenth-Century Inventions • The nineteenth century brought further inventions: – Charles Babbage’s Difference Engine and later his Analytical Engine defined many basic components of today’s computers. – Herman Hollerith developed a system to aid in tabulating data from the 1890 U. S. Census using punch cards.

Babbage’s Analytical Engine 1833

Hollerith Punch Card Machine 1890

First-Generation Computers During World War II, the first generation of modern computers was introduced. They were considered • single purpose computers • which used large bulky vacuum tubes, similar to light bulbs, to do the switching in its logic circuits. – Colossus was developed in England to decode encrypted German messages. – ENIAC was developed in the U. S. to calculate ballistic missile trajectories. – EDVAC was designed by John Von Neumann and it featured a central processing unit. – UNIVAC was the first commercially available computing device.

The Vacuum Tube

Colossus - 1943

ENIAC - 1946

EDVAC

UNIVAC 1954

Second-Generation Computers The second generation of computers (c. 1956) was marked by: – A shift from bulky vacuum tubes to transistors. – A shift in programming from physically rerouting cables to “software” stored on punch cards and tape storage. – The emergence of machine and assembly languages.

The Transistor

Third-Generation Computers • With the invention of integrated circuits (ICs), computers became smaller and more powerful. ICs: – Are smaller than transistors – Produce less heat – Allow multiple components to fit on a smaller chip

Integrated Circuits

Fourth-Generation Computers • Computers became smaller and more affordable, and available to small businesses and individuals. – MITS Altair 8800 (1974) – Apple I, II – Commodore PET – IBM PC (1981) – Macintosh (1984)