evolution of computer
First Generation Computers
First generation computers bore little resemblance to computers of
today, either in appearance or performance. The first generation of
computers took place from 1940 to 1956 and was extremely large in size.
The inner workings of the computers at that time were unsophisticated.
These early machines required magnetic drums for memory and vacuum tubes
that worked as switches and amplifiers. It was the vacuum tubes that
were mainly responsible for the large size of the machines and the
massive amounts of heat that they released. These computers produced so
much heat that they regularly overheated despite large cooling units.
First generation computers also used a very basic programming language
that is referred to as machine language.
Second Generation Computers
The second generation (from 1956 to 1963) of computers managed to do
away with vacuum tubes in lieu of transistors. This allowed them to use
less electricity and generate less heat. Second generation computers
were also significantly faster than their predecessors. Another
significant change was in the size of the computers, which were smaller.
Transistor computers also developed core memory which they used
alongside magnetic storage.
Third Generation Computers
From 1964 to 1971 computers went through a significant change in
terms of speed, courtesy of integrated circuits. Integrated circuits, or
semiconductor chips, were large numbers of miniature transistors packed
on silicon chips. This not only increased the speed of computers but
also made them smaller, more powerful, and less expensive. In addition,
instead of the punch cards and the printouts of previous systems,
keyboards and monitors were now allowing people to interact with
computing machines.
Fourth Generation Computers
The changes with the greatest impact occurred in the years from 1971
to 2010. During this time technology developed to a point where
manufacturers could place millions of transistors on a single circuit
chip. This was called monolithic integrated circuit technology. It also
heralded the invention of the Intel 4004 chip which was the first
microprocessor to become commercially available in 1971. This invention
led to the dawn of the personal computer industry. By the mid-70s,
personal computers such as the Altair 8800 became available to the
public in the form of kits and required assembly. By the late 70s and
early 80s assembled personal computers for home use, such as the
Commodore Pet, Apple II and the first IBM computer, were making their
way onto the market. Personal computers and their ability to create
networks eventually would lead to the Internet in the early 1990s. The
fourth generation of computers also saw the creation of even smaller
computers including laptops and hand-held devices. Graphical user
interface, or GUI, was also invented during this time. Computer memory
and storage also went through major improvements, with an increase in
storage capacity and speed.
The Fifth Generation of Computers
In the future, computer users can expect even faster and more
advanced computer technology. Computers continue to develop into
advanced forms of technology. Fifth generation computing has yet to be
truly defined, as there are numerous paths that technology is taking
toward the future of computer development. For instance, research is
ongoing in the fields of nanotechnology, artificial intelligence, as
well as quantum computation.
