History Of Computer Essay Example

hole patterns. This machine used variations in on/off states to facilitate tabulation of census results. Hollering's code is still utilized today for computer punched cards and paper tapes in telex machines.

In 1937, it was determined that the technology was suitable for implementing Babbage's concept. To pay tribute to him, Howard Keen from Harvard suggested utilizing Hollering's code. Collaborating with colleagues from Harvard and MOM (unspecified organization), they successfully completed the Automatic Sequence Controlled Calculator (MARK l) in 1944. MARK I possessed capabilities for division, multiplication, addition, and subtraction based on switch settings that dictated a specific sequence of operations. The results were then generated through either a typewriter or punched cards after a brief delay.During World War II, the University of Pennsylvania created MARK I, a massive machine weighing over 5 tons and consisting of more than 3,000 electromechanical relays. This electronic device was able to rapidly calculate large amounts of information and played a crucial role in accurately aiming cannons at targets using trajectory tables. It also relied on meteorological data for military planning, requiring quick calculations. In the mid-20th century, the army developed MANIAC at Moore School of Electrical Engineering, which was completed in 1946. This programmable computer had no moving parts and could store problem calculations. Despite its size of 1,500 sq ft., it performed 5,000 computations per second within 0.2 milliseconds but could only process one program at a time.

Remington Rand manufactured UNIVAC I as the first commercially available first-generation computer capable of performing 10,000 additions per second. IBM introduced IBM 704 in 1957 with a processing capacity of performing 100,000 calculations per second. As vacuum tubes used in electronic computers

were replaced by transistors produced in the late 1940s by inventors as replacements for vacuum tubes used in electronic computers;These transistors were quickly adopted by industry. Transistor-based computers, the second generation of computers, had the ability to perform 200,000 to 250,000 calculations per second. In the mid-1960s, the third generation of computers emerged with solid-state technology, integrated circuitry, and extreme miniaturization. The fourth generation of computers arrived in 1971 with smaller circuits and increased multi-programming capabilities. It also utilized virtual storage memory, treating secondary storage devices like disks and tapes as an expanded part of the main memory. Computer growth during this period surpassed expectations.

By the 1980s, fifth generation computers could operate at speeds ranging from 3 to 5 million calculations per second for small scale computers and up to10-15 million instructions per second for larger ones. The age of microcomputers began in 1975 when MITTS introduced the ALTAIR8800 - a personal computer that could be programmed by flicking switches on its front panel. Although it initially lacked software programs, it was more affordable compared to other computers available in the market.

In 1977, both Commodore and Radio Shack announced their plans to produce personal computers. Meanwhile, Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak developed their own computer in a college garage which eventually went into mass production under APPLE in 1979.By the end of 1981, APPLE became the best-selling personal computer.

Period Year Person Contribution
1642 Blaine Pascal First Mechanical Adding Machine
1674 Gottfried Wilhelm Von Leibniz Improved Pascal's machine by adding multiplication &division
1804 Joseph Jacquard Mechanical loom
1890 Charles Babbage Analytical engine Herman Hollering Adapted the punch card
1937 Howard Keen MARK I
1946 John Cocker &John

Macaulay MANIAC
1950 Remington Rand UNIVAC
1957 IBM IBM 704 Generation Characteristics
1951-1958 First Used vacuum tubes (about 18,000 in number, capable of performing around 10,000 additions per second)
959-1964 Second Transistor-based;capable of performing between 200,000 to 250,000 calculations per second.
1964-1971 Third Solid state technology and integrated circuit combined with extreme miniaturization.
1971 - present Fourth Increased multiprogramming and virtual storage memory onward Fifth Information Superhighway (focus is more on connectivity, enabling computer users to connect their computers to other computers).

What is a computer?
An electronic device known as a data processing machine is designed to manipulate symbols that represent different types of information such as numbers or names. This machine often resembles the human brain as it can receive data and process it.The computer's ability to store processed data as raw information or results can be shared with external sources upon request. Unlike the human brain, a computer requires specific instructions or programming to complete tasks. This process relies on utilizing the brain's organizational and problem-solving abilities with great care.