The History of Computers By: Casey Walsh

Introduction Computer history can be broken down into five generations of change. Computer history can be broken down into five generations of change. 1 st generation ( ) 1 st generation ( ) 2 nd generation ( ) 2 nd generation ( ) 3 rd generation ( ) 3 rd generation ( ) 4 th generation ( ) 4 th generation ( ) 5 th generation ( and beyond) 5 th generation ( and beyond)

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

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

Computers begin to be built with transistors. Computers begin to be built with transistors. Transistors are small devices that transfer electronic signals across a resistor Transistors are small devices that transfer electronic signals across a resistor Transistors are smaller, and produce less heat than vacuum tubes. 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 1947 Bell Laboratories introduces the first transistor in 1958 they are put into computers 1959 brings us the first removable disk pack 1959 brings us the first removable disk pack 1960 had the introduction of the first business application programming language 1960 had the introduction of the first business application programming language

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

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

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

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

Fifth Generation: The Age of Connectivity The “Connected Generation” because of the industries massive effort to increase the connectivity of computers. The “Connected Generation” because of the industries massive effort to increase the connectivity of computers. Contributed to the internet, and world wide web, which allows users to gather information and an infinite rate via the information superhighway 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 IBM introduces its first PC which contains an Intel processor and Microsoft's MS-Dos operating system. 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. Apple unveils the Macintosh computer with its unique easy to use graphical interface. To Compete with Apple, IBM and Microsoft produce Windows. To Compete with Apple, IBM and Microsoft produce Windows.

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