First Generation (1940-1956) Vacuum Tubes
The first computers used vacuum tubes for circuitry and magnetic drums
for memory,
and were often enormous, taking up entire rooms. They were very
expensive to operate and in addition to using a great deal of
electricity, generated a lot of heat, which was often the cause of
malfunctions.
First generation computers relied on machine
language, the lowest-level programming language understood by
computers, to perform operations, and they could only solve one
problem at a time. Input was based on punched cards and paper tape,
and output was displayed on printouts.
The UNIVAC and ENIAC
computers are examples of first-generation computing devices. The
UNIVAC was the first commercial computer delivered to a business client,
the U.S. Census Bureau in 1951.Second Generation (1956-1963) Transistors
Transistors
replaced vacuum tubes and ushered in the second generation of
computers. The transistor was invented in 1947 but did not see
widespread use in computers until the late 1950s. The transistor was far
superior to the vacuum tube, allowing computers to become smaller,
faster, cheaper, more energy-efficient and more reliable than their
first-generation predecessors. Though the transistor still generated a
great deal of heat that subjected the computer to damage, it was a vast
improvement over the vacuum tube. Second-generation computers still
relied on punched cards for input and printouts for output.
Second-generation computers moved from
cryptic binary
machine language to symbolic, or assembly,
languages, which allowed programmers to specify instructions in words. High-level
programming languages were also being developed at this time, such
as early versions of COBOL
and FORTRAN.
These were also the first computers that stored their instructions in
their memory, which moved from a magnetic drum to magnetic core
technology.
The first computers of this generation were
developed for the atomic energy industry.
Third Generation (1964-1971) Integrated Circuits
Instead of punched cards and printouts, users interacted with third generation computers through keyboards and monitors and interfaced with an operating system, which allowed the device to run many different applications at one time with a central program that monitored the memory. Computers for the first time became accessible to a mass audience because they were smaller and cheaper than their predecessors.
Fourth Generation (1971-Present) Microprocessors
In 1981 IBM introduced its first computer for the home user, and in 1984 Apple introduced the Macintosh. Microprocessors also moved out of the realm of desktop computers and into many areas of life as more and more everyday products began to use microprocessors.
As these small computers became more powerful, they could be linked together to form networks, which eventually led to the development of the Internet. Fourth generation computers also saw the development of GUIs, the mouse and handheld devices.
Fifth Generation (Present and Beyond) Artificial Intelligence
Fifth generation computing devices, based on artificial intelligence, are still in development, though there are some applications, such as voice recognition, that are being used today. The use of parallel processing and superconductors is helping to make artificial intelligence a reality. Quantum computation and molecular and nanotechnology will radically change the face of computers in years to come. The goal of fifth-generation computing is to develop devices that respond to natural language input and are capable of learning and self-organization.
COMPUTER HISTORY
History of Computers
This is a searchable directory about the history of computers, computing and a timeline of the history of computers and early calculating machines has been included. Our timeline includes developments in the 1600's and their impact on computing. The development of the modern day computer was the result of advances in technologies and man's need to quantify. (The abacus was one of the first counting machines. Calculating machines were sold commercially before the advent of steel manufacturing technologies. Papyrus was something to write on, before we had paper. Writing was a way to record mathematical calculations.) This history of computers site includes the names of early pioneers of math and computing and links to related sites for further study. A new "Timeline of the History of Computers and Related Technologies" has been added.
