The History of Computers By Casey Walsh Introduction

The History of Computers By: Casey Walsh

Introduction l Computer history can be broken down into five generations of change. l 1 st generation (1951 -57) l 2 nd generation (1958 -63) l 3 rd generation (1964 -69) l 4 th generation (1970 -90) l 5 th generation (1991 -2005 and beyond)

First Generation: The Vacuum Tube Age l l 1951 Dr. John W. Mauchly and J. Presper Eckert Jr. introduce the first commercially available electronic digital computer. Computers are built with vacuum tubes

First Generation Innovations Used vacuum tubes and could make numerical calculations l IBM adds computers to its business equipment and sells over 1, 000 systems. l Introduction of the first high-level programming language l First example of software that converts high-level language symbols into instructions that a computer can execute l

l Computers begin to be built with transistors. l l Transistors are small devices that transfer electronic signals across a resistor Transistors are smaller, and produce less heat than vacuum tubes.

Second Generation Innovations 1947 Bell Laboratories introduces the first transistor in 1958 they are put into computers l 1959 brings us the first removable disk pack l 1960 had the introduction of the first business application programming language l

Third Generation: The Integrated Circuit Age l 1964 computer developers introduce the Integrated circuit l l IC’s are complete electronic circuits consisting of multiple transistors on a small chip made of silicon IC’s allow computers to be more compact and cost effective

Third Generation Innovations The 3 rd generation also introduces BASIC programming language l IBM advances its business introducing the System/360 which are compatible and can all use the same programs and peripherals l 1 st minicomputer is developed by Digital Equipment Corporation l

Fourth Generation: The Microprocessor Age l The Microprocessor l Developed by Dr. Ted Hoff of Intel l A specialized chip for memory and logic l Made computers smaller, faster, cheaper, and more reliable

Fourth Generation Innovation l l l 1 st Ethernet network developed at Xerox Apple introduces its first consumer friendly computer The Intel 4004 is developed by Ted Hoff

Fifth Generation: The Age of Connectivity l The “Connected Generation” because of the industries massive effort to increase the connectivity of computers. l Contributed to the internet, and world wide web, which allows users to gather information and an infinite rate via the information superhighway

Fifth Generation Innovations l l l IBM introduces its first PC which contains an Intel processor and Microsoft's MS-Dos operating system. Apple unveils the Macintosh computer with its unique easy to use graphical interface. To Compete with Apple, IBM and Microsoft produce Windows.

More Fifth Generation Innovations l l l 1993 Intel Introduces the Pentium Processor 1995 Microsoft Introduces Windows 95 1996 More than 50 millions PC’s are sold, and more than 250 million PC’s are in use world wide