Ge Elec Reviewer

The document provides a history of computers from 1936 to 1996. Some key developments include the first freely programmable computer in 1936, the invention of the transistor in 1947 which was an important computer component, IBM releasing the first computer machine in 1953, the invention of the integrated circuit (computer chip) in 1958, the invention of the first computer mouse in 1963, the creation of the earliest internet (ARPANET) in 1969, the release of the first personal computers by IBM and Apple in the 1970s, the founding of Microsoft by Bill Gates and Paul Allen in 1975, and the creation of the World Wide Web in 1991 which started the computer revolution.

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Ge Elec Reviewer

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Introduction to Computers Introduction to Computers

History of Computer
1936 The First Computer
➢The first freely programmable computer came into play.
1947 The transistor
➢The transistor was invented by Bell Telephone Company. It wasn't a
computer in itself ‘but it was a vital computer component.
1953 IBM
➢International Business Machines came out with their first computer
machine
1955 Bank computers
➢The first bank computers were invented. They used Micro magnetic ink
character recognition to read checks.
1958 The computer chip
➢Jack Kilby and Robert Noyce invented the integrated circuit better
known as the computer chip.
1962 Video games
➢Space war games invented the first computer video games.
1963 The mouse is invented
➢Douglas Engelbart invented the computer mouse. He called it the mouse
because the cord came out the back like a tail.
1969 The internet
➢The first internet was called ARPANET. The original internet wasn't
used very widely because not many people had access to it.
1974-1977 The first personal computers
➢IBM and Apple were just a couple of the brands that put out the first
personal computers.
1975 Microsoft is born
➢Bill Gates worked with Paul Allen to develop BASIC for the Altair 8800.
1989 Microsoft expands
➢Microsoft made a program that was compatible with IBM computers. This
let more people encounter the now well-known program.
1991 The internet as we know it
➢Tim Berners Less came up with the World Wide Web. He started a
computer revolution.
1991 The laptop comes into play
➢The first laptop computer the Power Book 100came out. There were
other portable computers before this, but they were very clunky and
expensive.
1996 World Wide Convention
➢the first internet convention was held.
1996 Mini computers
➢Nokia introduced a phone that had internet capabilities. This started a
revolution of devices that were small portable computers/ Distribution
Channels Defined
What is Information?
 Information is data processed for some purpose
 Information can only be 'real' Info if
it meets certain criteria i.e.
 1. it must be communicated to the recipient
 2. it must be in a language that is understood
 3. it must be in a suitable form
 4. it must be relevant for achieving some purpose
Information
• Information is any form of communication that provides
understandable and useful knowledge for the person receiving it.
What Is A Computer?
 A computer is a general purpose, programmable device that is used
for the production and processing of information
 capable of calculating and storing results
What do we mean by general purpose?
Computers, however, can be used for almost any purpose:
• typewriter
• video editor
• accounts tracker
• database/address book
• DVD / CD Player
• and many others...
Computers Are Programmable
 Computers respond to instructions in the form of programs
 Programs are written in order to make computers behave in specific
ways i.e. word processor, systems control
 Programs are stored in the computer memory
 How computers process information
 Computers accept inputs (data)
 The input is translated into binary numbers and ‘processed’
 The process produces output (information)
 This sequence can repeat endlessly: outputs can be inputs.
• Input ---> Process ---> Output
Data----Computer----Information
A Computer and the Relationship between Data and Information
A computer is an electronic device, operating under the control of
instructions stored in its own memory, that can accept data, process the
data according to specified rules, produce results, and store the results for
future use. Data is a collection of unprocessed items, which can include
text, numbers, images, audio, and video. Information conveys meaning and
is useful to people.