Define History of Computer in deep highly detailed information

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The history of computers is a fascinating and complex narrative that spans centuries and
encompasses countless innovations, inventors, and technological advancements. To provide you
with a comprehensive understanding of this history, I'll break it down into key stages and
developments, starting from ancient times and progressing to the modern era.

1. Pre-Modern Computing Devices (Before the 19th Century):

 Abacus (c. 3000 BCE): The abacus is often considered one of the earliest computing
devices. It consists of rods and beads, which can be manipulated to perform arithmetic
calculations.
 Napier's Bones (1617): Scottish mathematician John Napier invented a set of numbered
rods that simplified multiplication and division calculations.
 Blaise Pascal's Calculator (1642): Blaise Pascal, a French mathematician, built the
"Pascaline," a mechanical calculator that could perform addition and subtraction.
 Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz's Stepped Reckoner (1673): Leibniz, a German
mathematician, designed a calculating machine capable of performing all four arithmetic
operations.
2. Early Mechanical Calculators (19th Century):
 Charles Babbage's Analytical Engine (1837): Babbage, an English mathematician,
conceptualized a general-purpose mechanical computer with a punched card system for
input and output. It's often regarded as the first true computer design.
 Ada Lovelace (1843): Ada Lovelace, an English mathematician and writer, is credited
with writing the first computer program for Babbage's Analytical Engine. She saw its
potential for more than just mathematical calculations.
3. The Emergence of Electronics (Early 20th Century):
 Vacuum Tubes: In the early 20th century, inventors like Lee De Forest and John
Fleming developed vacuum tubes, which enabled electronic amplification and switching.
4. The First Electronic Computers (1940s):
 ENIAC (1945): Developed during World War II, ENIAC (Electronic Numerical
Integrator and Computer) was the world's first general-purpose electronic computer. It
used over 17,000 vacuum tubes for computation.
 UNIVAC (1951): UNIVAC (Universal Automatic Computer) was the first commercially
produced computer, designed for business and scientific applications.
5. Transistors and the Miniaturization Revolution (1950s-1960s):
 Transistors (1947): The invention of the transistor by Bell Labs marked a significant
milestone. Transistors replaced vacuum tubes, making computers smaller, more reliable,
and more efficient.
 IBM 650 (1954): IBM's 650 Magnetic Drum Data Processing System was one of the
early computers to use transistors.
 Integrated Circuits (1960s): The development of integrated circuits (ICs) further
miniaturized electronic components, paving the way for the modern microchip.
6. The Personal Computer Revolution (1970s-1980s):
  Altair 8800 (1975): Often considered the first personal computer, the Altair 8800
inspired hobbyists and entrepreneurs, including Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak, to enter
the computer industry.
 IBM PC (1981): IBM's entry into the personal computer market established the PC
architecture as a standard, leading to the proliferation of compatible hardware and
software.
7. The Internet Age (1990s-Present):
 World Wide Web (1991): Tim Berners-Lee developed the World Wide Web,
revolutionizing how information is accessed and shared.
 Smartphones and Mobile Computing (2000s-Present): The advent of smartphones and
tablets brought computing to the palm of our hands, transforming communication and
daily life.
8. Artificial Intelligence and Quantum Computing (Recent Developments):
 Machine Learning and AI: Advances in machine learning and artificial intelligence
have led to breakthroughs in areas like natural language processing and computer vision.
 Quantum Computing: Quantum computers, which use quantum bits (qubits) instead of
classical bits, hold the potential to solve complex problems that are practically unsolvable
by classical computers.

This history is just an overview of the rich and intricate development of computing technology.
It's worth noting that the field of computer science continues to evolve rapidly, and new
innovations are continually reshaping the landscape of computing.
Certainly! Computers have evolved through different generations, each marked by significant
technological advancements. Let's explore each generation of computers in detail, along with their
advantages and disadvantages:

First Generation Computers (1940s-1950s):

 Definition: First-generation computers used vacuum tubes for processing and were enormous,
room-sized machines. They were mainly used for scientific and military applications, such as
calculations for the Manhattan Project.
 Advantages:
 Pioneered the concept of electronic digital computing.
 Could perform complex calculations at much faster speeds than previous mechanical
calculators.
 Laid the foundation for subsequent computer generations.
 Disadvantages:
 Enormous power consumption due to vacuum tubes, resulting in frequent failures and
maintenance.
 Limited in terms of memory and processing capabilities.
 Generated a significant amount of heat.

Second Generation Computers (1950s-1960s):

 Definition: Second-generation computers replaced vacuum tubes with transistors and used
magnetic core memory for storage. These machines were smaller, more reliable, and easier to
maintain.
 Advantages:
 Improved reliability and reduced maintenance due to transistors.
 Faster and more efficient than first-generation computers.
 Paved the way for commercial computer production.
 Disadvantages:
 Still relatively large and expensive compared to modern standards.
 Limited memory capacity by today's standards.
 Required air conditioning to prevent overheating.

Third Generation Computers (1960s-1970s):

 Definition: Third-generation computers utilized integrated circuits (ICs), which contained multiple
transistors on a single chip. They were smaller, more powerful, and had more memory than their
predecessors.
 Advantages:
 Significant reduction in size, cost, and power consumption.
 Improved performance and reliability.
 Allowed multitasking and time-sharing, making them suitable for business and scientific
applications.
 Disadvantages:
 Still relatively expensive for individual users.
 Limited in terms of graphical capabilities.
 Programming was primarily done in low-level languages.

Fourth Generation Computers (1970s-1980s):

 Definition: Fourth-generation computers featured microprocessors, which integrated all central

processing unit (CPU) functions on a single chip. This miniaturization led to the development of
personal computers.
 Advantages:
 Dramatically reduced size and cost.
 Made computing accessible to individuals and small businesses.
 Introduced high-level programming languages and graphical user interfaces.
 Disadvantages:
 Limited processing power and memory compared to modern computers.
 Early personal computers lacked the capabilities of today's machines.
 Relatively slow by contemporary standards.

Fifth Generation Computers (1980s-Present):

 Definition: Fifth-generation computers are characterized by advanced microprocessors, high-speed
memory, and extensive connectivity. They also encompass developments in artificial intelligence and
quantum computing.
 Advantages:
 Unprecedented computing power and memory capacity.
 Support for complex graphical interfaces and multimedia.
 Advanced AI capabilities, including natural language processing and machine learning.
 Disadvantages:
 High power consumption and heat generation for some high-performance systems.
 Quantum computing, while promising, is still in the experimental phase.

It's important to note that these generations of computers represent broad historical categories, and
there has been continuous progress and overlap between them. Additionally, computing technology
is continually evolving, with new developments occurring beyond the fifth generation, such as
quantum computing, neuromorphic computing, and more.

Please define each these generations in deep detailed up to 4 to 5 pages of the each generation of
the computer
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Certainly! I can provide more detailed information about each generation of computers, but due to
the length of the response, I will limit each generation to approximately 2 pages of detailed
information. Here's a more in-depth look at each generation:

First Generation Computers (1940s-1950s)

The first generation of computers represents the earliest attempts at electronic digital computing.
These machines laid the foundation for modern computing technology, despite being large,
cumbersome, and relatively primitive by today's standards.

Advancements and Characteristics:

1. Use of Vacuum Tubes: First-generation computers relied on vacuum tubes for electronic switching
and amplification. These tubes were bulky, fragile, and generated a significant amount of heat. The
primary advantage was their ability to amplify electronic signals.
2. Limited Memory and Processing Power: These computers had extremely limited memory
capacities, often measured in kilobytes. Their processing power was modest, and they could perform
basic arithmetic calculations.
3. Batch Processing: Programs were fed into the computer using punched cards or paper tape. These
machines operated in a batch processing mode, which meant that a single program had to be
completed before another could begin.
4. ENIAC and UNIVAC: The most famous examples of first-generation computers include the ENIAC
(Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer) and the UNIVAC (Universal Automatic Computer).
ENIAC, completed in 1945, was a massive machine with over 17,000 vacuum tubes and could
perform complex calculations for scientific and military purposes. UNIVAC, introduced in 1951, was
the first commercially produced computer.

Advantages:

 Pioneering Technology: First-generation computers introduced the concept of electronic digital

computing, marking a revolutionary leap from mechanical calculators.
 Faster Calculations: They could perform complex calculations at speeds significantly faster than
human operators or earlier mechanical devices.
 Precursor to Modern Computing: Despite their limitations, these machines set the stage for the
development of subsequent computer generations.

Disadvantages:

 High Power Consumption: Vacuum tubes consumed a considerable amount of power and generated
a lot of heat, leading to frequent failures and the need for constant maintenance.
 Limited Memory: First-generation computers had extremely limited memory, restricting their ability
to handle large datasets.
 Size and Weight: These machines were enormous and took up entire rooms, making them
impractical for personal or small-scale use.

Second Generation Computers (1950s-1960s)

The second generation of computers marked a significant improvement over their predecessors by
replacing vacuum tubes with transistors, resulting in smaller, more reliable machines.

Advancements and Characteristics:

1. Transistors: The most critical advancement in second-generation computers was the replacement of
vacuum tubes with transistors. Transistors were smaller, more durable, and consumed significantly
less power.
2. Magnetic Core Memory: These computers used magnetic core memory for data storage, which was
faster and more reliable than the drum memory used in first-generation machines.
3. Batch Processing Continues: Like their predecessors, second-generation computers typically
operated in batch processing mode, with programs loaded via punched cards or paper tape.
4. IBM 1401 and IBM 7090: Iconic examples of second-generation computers include the IBM 1401, a
popular business computer, and the IBM 7090, known for its scientific and engineering applications.

Advantages:

 Improved Reliability: Transistors were much more reliable than vacuum tubes, reducing the
frequency of breakdowns and maintenance.
 Space Savings: The smaller size of transistors allowed for more compact computer designs, making
them easier to house and maintain.
 Increased Processing Speed: Second-generation computers were faster than their predecessors,
thanks to the speed of transistors.

Disadvantages:

 Limited Memory: While better than first-generation machines, second-generation computers still had
limited memory capacity compared to modern computers.
 Cost: These computers were relatively expensive, limiting their accessibility to large organizations
and institutions.
 Lack of User-Friendly Interfaces: They lacked user-friendly interfaces and operated using low-level
programming languages.

Third Generation Computers (1960s-1970s)

The third generation of computers witnessed a major shift from discrete transistors to integrated
circuits, resulting in smaller, more powerful, and more versatile machines.

Advancements and Characteristics:

1. Integrated Circuits (ICs): The most significant development was the introduction of integrated
circuits (ICs), which combined multiple transistors and other components on a single chip. This
innovation drastically reduced the size and cost of computers.
2. Operating Systems and High-Level Languages: Third-generation computers introduced the use of
operating systems and high-level programming languages like COBOL and FORTRAN, making
programming more accessible.
3. Time-Sharing and Multiprogramming: These computers supported time-sharing and
multiprogramming, allowing multiple users to interact with the computer simultaneously. This was a
major advance in the field of computing.
4. DEC PDP Series and IBM System/360: Prominent examples of third-generation computers include
the Digital Equipment Corporation's (DEC) PDP series, known for their versatility, and IBM's
System/360, a family of compatible mainframe computers.

Advantages:

 Miniaturization: The use of integrated circuits drastically reduced the size of computers, making them
more practical and accessible.
 Enhanced Software Capabilities: The adoption of high-level programming languages and operating
systems simplified software development.
 Multitasking and Time-Sharing: These computers introduced the concept of multitasking and
allowed multiple users to share the same computer simultaneously.

Disadvantages:

 Limited Graphics and User Interface: While they were versatile, third-generation computers were still
limited in terms of graphical capabilities and user interfaces.
 Expensive: High-end third-generation mainframes remained expensive, limiting their accessibility.
 Heat Dissipation: Integrated circuits generated heat, which still required cooling systems.

Fourth Generation Computers (1970s-1980s)

The fourth generation of computers witnessed a leap in miniaturization and accessibility, with the
advent of microprocessors and personal computers.

Advancements and Characteristics:

1. Microprocessors: The most defining feature of fourth-generation computers was the development
of microprocessors. These small chips contained all the essential elements of a central processing
unit (CPU).
2. Personal Computers (PCs): The 1970s and 1980s saw the emergence of personal computers, which
were affordable and accessible to individual users. Brands like Apple and IBM played a significant
role in this era.
3. Graphical User Interfaces (GUIs): Fourth-generation computers introduced graphical user
interfaces (GUIs) that allowed users to interact with the computer using icons and menus, making
computing more intuitive.
4. Home Computers: The era of home computers began with machines like the Apple II, Commodore
64, and IBM PC. These computers brought computing into homes and schools.

Advantages:

 Mass Accessibility: Fourth-generation computers, especially personal computers, became widely

available to individuals and small businesses.
 User-Friendly Interfaces: GUIs made computing more user-friendly and accessible to non-technical
users.
 Expansion of Software Development: The availability of microprocessors and personal computers led
to a surge in software development.

Disadvantages:

 Limited Processing Power: Fourth-generation microcomputers had limited processing power and
memory by today's standards.
 Limited Networking: Early personal computers had limited

History of Computers
The first counting device was used by the primitive people. They used sticks, stones and
bones as counting tools. As human mind and technology improved with time more
computing devices were developed. Some of the popular computing devices starting
with the first to recent ones are described below;

Abacus
The history of computer begins with the birth of abacus which is believed to be the first
computer. It is said that Chinese invented Abacus around 4,000 years ago.

It was a wooden rack which has metal rods with beads mounted on them. The beads
were moved by the abacus operator according to some rules to perform arithmetic
calculations. Abacus is still used in some countries like China, Russia and Japan. An
image of this tool is shown below;
Napier's Bones
It was a manually-operated calculating device which was invented by John Napier (1550-
1617) of Merchiston. In this calculating tool, he used 9 different ivory strips or bones
marked with numbers to multiply and divide. So, the tool became known as "Napier's
Bones. It was also the first machine to use the decimal point.
Pascaline
Pascaline is also known as Arithmetic Machine or Adding Machine. It was invented
between 1642 and 1644 by a French mathematician-philosopher Biaise Pascal. It is
believed that it was the first mechanical and automatic calculator.

Pascal invented this machine to help his father, a tax accountant. It could only perform
addition and subtraction. It was a wooden box with a series of gears and wheels. When
a wheel is rotated one revolution, it rotates the neighboring wheel. A series of windows
is given on the top of the wheels to read the totals. An image of this tool is shown
below;

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Stepped Reckoner or Leibnitz wheel

It was developed by a German mathematician-philosopher Gottfried Wilhelm Leibnitz in
1673. He improved Pascal's invention to develop this machine. It was a digital
mechanical calculator which was called the stepped reckoner as instead of gears it was
made of fluted drums. See the following image;
Difference Engine
In the early 1820s, it was designed by Charles Babbage who is known as "Father of
Modern Computer". It was a mechanical computer which could perform simple
calculations. It was a steam driven calculating machine designed to solve tables of
numbers like logarithm tables.

Analytical Engine
This calculating machine was also developed by Charles Babbage in 1830. It was a
mechanical computer that used punch-cards as input. It was capable of solving any
mathematical problem and storing information as a permanent memory.

Tabulating Machine
It was invented in 1890, by Herman Hollerith, an American statistician. It was a
mechanical tabulator based on punch cards. It could tabulate statistics and record or
sort data or information. This machine was used in the 1890 U.S. Census. Hollerith also
started the Hollerith?s Tabulating Machine Company which later became International
Business Machine (IBM) in 1924.
Differential Analyzer
It was the first electronic computer introduced in the United States in 1930. It was an
analog device invented by Vannevar Bush. This machine has vacuum tubes to switch
electrical signals to perform calculations. It could do 25 calculations in few minutes.
Mark I
The next major changes in the history of computer began in 1937 when Howard Aiken
planned to develop a machine that could perform calculations involving large numbers.
In 1944, Mark I computer was built as a partnership between IBM and Harvard. It was
the first programmable digital computer.

Generations of Computers
A generation of

A generation of computers refers to the specific improvements in computer

technology with time. In 1946, electronic pathways called circuits were developed to
perform the counting. It replaced the gears and other mechanical parts used for
counting in previous computing machines.

In each new generation, the circuits became smaller and more advanced than
the previous generation circuits. The miniaturization helped increase the
speed, memory and power of computers. There are five generations of
computers which are described below;
First Generation Computers
The first generation (1946-1959) computers were slow, huge and expensive. In
these computers, vacuum tubes were used as the basic components of CPU
and memory. These computers were mainly depended on batch operating
system and punch cards. Magnetic tape and paper tape were used as output
and input devices in this generation;

Some of the popular first generation computers are;

o ENIAC ( Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer)

o EDVAC ( Electronic Discrete Variable Automatic Computer)
o UNIVACI( Universal Automatic Computer)
o IBM-701
o IBM-650

Second Generation Computers

The second generation (1959-1965) was the era of the transistor computers.
These computers used transistors which were cheap, compact and consuming
less power; it made transistor computers faster than the first generation
computers.

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In this generation, magnetic cores were used as the primary memory and
magnetic disc and tapes were used as the secondary storage. Assembly
language and programming languages like COBOL and FORTRAN, and Batch
processing and multiprogramming operating systems were used in these
computers.

Some of the popular second generation computers are;

o IBM 1620
o IBM 7094
o CDC 1604
o CDC 3600
 o UNIVAC 1108

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Third Generation Computers

The third generation computers used integrated circuits (ICs) instead of
transistors. A single IC can pack huge number of transistors which increased
the power of a computer and reduced the cost. The computers also became
more reliable, efficient and smaller in size. These generation computers used
remote processing, time-sharing, multi programming as operating system.
Also, the high-level programming languages like FORTRON-II TO IV, COBOL,
PASCAL PL/1, ALGOL-68 were used in this generation.

Some of the popular third generation computers are;

o IBM-360 series
o Honeywell-6000 series
o PDP(Personal Data Processor)
o IBM-370/168
o TDC-316

Fourth Generation Computers

The fourth generation (1971-1980) computers used very large scale integrated
(VLSI) circuits; a chip containing millions of transistors and other circuit
elements. These chips made this generation computers more compact,
powerful, fast and affordable. These generation computers used real time, time
sharing and distributed operating system. The programming languages like C,
C++, DBASE were also used in this generation.

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Some of the popular fourth generation computers are;

o DEC 10
o STAR 1000
o PDP 11
 o CRAY-1(Super Computer)
o CRAY-X-MP(Super Computer)

Fifth Generation Computers

In fifth generation (1980-till date) computers, the VLSI technology was
replaced with ULSI (Ultra Large Scale Integration). It made possible the
production of microprocessor chips with ten million electronic components.
This generation computers used parallel processing hardware and AI (Artificial
Intelligence) software. The programming languages used in this generation
were C, C++, Java, .Net, etc.

Some of the popular fifth generation computers are;

o Desktop
o Laptop
o NoteBook
o UltraBook
o ChromeBook

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Brief History of Computers

The naive understanding of computation had to be overcome before the
true power of computing could be realized. The inventors who worked
tirelessly to bring the computer into the world had to realize that what
they were creating was more than just a number cruncher or a
calculator. They had to address all of the difficulties associated with
inventing such a machine, implementing the design, and actually
building the thing. The history of the computer is the history of these
difficulties being solved.
19th Century
1801 – Joseph Marie Jacquard, a weaver and businessman from France,
devised a loom that employed punched wooden cards to automatically
weave cloth designs.

1822 – Charles Babbage, a mathematician, invented the steam-powered

calculating machine capable of calculating number tables. The
“Difference Engine” idea failed owing to a lack of technology at the
time.

1848 – The world’s first computer program was written by Ada

Lovelace, an English mathematician. Lovelace also includes a step-by-
step tutorial on how to compute Bernoulli numbers using Babbage’s
machine.

1890 – Herman Hollerith, an inventor, creates the punch card technique

used to calculate the 1880 U.S. census. He would go on to start the
corporation that would become IBM.

Early 20th Century

1930 – Differential Analyzer was the first large-scale automatic general-
purpose mechanical analogue computer invented and built by Vannevar
Bush.

1936 – Alan Turing had an idea for a universal machine, which he

called the Turing machine, that could compute anything that could be
computed.

1939 – Hewlett-Packard was discovered in a garage in Palo Alto,

California by Bill Hewlett and David Packard.
1941 – Konrad Zuse, a German inventor and engineer, completed his
Z3 machine, the world’s first digital computer. However, the machine
was destroyed during a World War II bombing strike on Berlin.

1941 – J.V. Atanasoff and graduate student Clifford Berry devise a

computer capable of solving 29 equations at the same time. The first
time a computer can store data in its primary memory.

1945 – University of Pennsylvania academics John Mauchly and J.

Presper Eckert create an Electronic Numerical Integrator and Calculator
(ENIAC). It was Turing-complete and capable of solving “a vast class
of numerical problems” by reprogramming, earning it the title of
“Grandfather of computers.”

1946 – The UNIVAC I (Universal Automatic Computer) was the first

general-purpose electronic digital computer designed in the United
States for corporate applications.

1949 – The Electronic Delay Storage Automatic Calculator (EDSAC),

developed by a team at the University of Cambridge, is the “first
practical stored-program computer.”

1950 – The Standards Eastern Automatic Computer (SEAC) was built

in Washington, DC, and it was the first stored-program computer
completed in the United States.

Late 20th Century

1953 – Grace Hopper, a computer scientist, creates the first computer
language, which becomes known as COBOL, which stands
for COmmon, Business-Oriented Language. It allowed a computer user
to offer the computer instructions in English-like words rather than
numbers.
1954 – John Backus and a team of IBM programmers created the
FORTRAN programming language, an acronym
for FORmula TRANslation. In addition, IBM developed the 650.

1958 – The integrated circuit, sometimes known as the computer chip,

was created by Jack Kirby and Robert Noyce.

1962 – Atlas, the computer, makes its appearance. It was the fastest
computer in the world at the time, and it pioneered the concept of
“virtual memory.”

1964 – Douglas Engelbart proposes a modern computer prototype that

combines a mouse and a graphical user interface (GUI).

1969 – Bell Labs developers, led by Ken Thompson and Dennis

Ritchie, revealed UNIX, an operating system developed in the C
programming language that addressed program compatibility
difficulties.

1970 – The Intel 1103, the first Dynamic Access Memory (DRAM)
chip, is unveiled by Intel.

1971 – The floppy disc was invented by Alan Shugart and a team of
IBM engineers. In the same year, Xerox developed the first laser
printer, which not only produced billions of dollars but also heralded the
beginning of a new age in computer printing.

1973 – Robert Metcalfe, a member of Xerox’s research department,

created Ethernet, which is used to connect many computers and other
gear.
1974 – Personal computers were introduced into the market. The first
were the Altair Scelbi & Mark-8, IBM 5100, and Radio Shack’s TRS-
80.

1975 – Popular Electronics magazine touted the Altair 8800 as the

world’s first minicomputer kit in January. Paul Allen and Bill Gates
offer to build software in the BASIC language for the Altair.

1976 – Apple Computers is founded by Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak,

who expose the world to the Apple I, the first computer with a single-
circuit board.

1977 – At the first West Coast Computer Faire, Jobs and Wozniak
announce the Apple II. It has colour graphics and a cassette drive for
storing music.

1978 – The first computerized spreadsheet program, VisiCalc, is

introduced.

1979 – WordStar, a word processing tool from MicroPro International,

is released.

1981 – IBM unveils the Acorn, their first personal computer, which has
an Intel CPU, two floppy drives, and a colour display. The MS-DOS
operating system from Microsoft is used by Acorn.

1983 – The CD-ROM, which could carry 550 megabytes of pre-

recorded data, hit the market. This year also saw the release of the
Gavilan SC, the first portable computer with a flip-form design and the
first to be offered as a “laptop.”
1984 – Apple launched Macintosh during the Superbowl XVIII
commercial. It was priced at $2,500

1985 – Microsoft introduces Windows, which enables multitasking via

a graphical user interface. In addition, the programming language C++
has been released.

1990 – Tim Berners-Lee, an English programmer and scientist, creates

HyperText Markup Language, widely known as HTML. He also coined
the term “WorldWideWeb.” It includes the first browser, a server,
HTML, and URLs.

1993 – The Pentium CPU improves the usage of graphics and music on
personal computers.

1995 – Microsoft’s Windows 95 operating system was released. A $300

million promotional campaign was launched to get the news out. Sun
Microsystems introduces Java 1.0, followed by Netscape
Communications’ JavaScript.

1996 – At Stanford University, Sergey Brin and Larry Page created the
Google search engine.

1998 – Apple introduces the iMac, an all-in-one Macintosh desktop

computer. These PCs cost $1,300 and came with a 4GB hard drive,
32MB RAM, a CD-ROM, and a 15-inch monitor.

1999 – Wi-Fi, an abbreviation for “wireless fidelity,” is created,

originally covering a range of up to 300 feet.
21st Century
2000 – The USB flash drive is first introduced in 2000. They were
speedier and had more storage space than other storage media options
when used for data storage.

2001 – Apple releases Mac OS X, later renamed OS X and eventually

simply macOS, as the successor to its conventional Mac Operating
System.

2003 – Customers could purchase AMD’s Athlon 64, the first 64-bit
CPU for consumer computers.

2004 – Facebook began as a social networking website.

2005 – Google acquires Android, a mobile phone OS based on Linux.

2006 – Apple’s MacBook Pro was available. The Pro was the
company’s first dual-core, Intel-based mobile computer.

Amazon Web Services, including Amazon Elastic Cloud 2 (EC2) and

Amazon Simple Storage Service, were also launched (S3)

2007 – The first iPhone was produced by Apple, bringing many

computer operations into the palm of our hands. Amazon also released
the Kindle, one of the first electronic reading systems, in 2007.

2009 – Microsoft released Windows 7.

2011 – Google introduces the Chromebook, which runs Google Chrome

OS.
2014 – The University of Michigan Micro Mote (M3), the world’s
smallest computer, was constructed.

2015 – Apple introduces the Apple Watch. Windows 10 was also

released by Microsoft.

2016 – The world’s first reprogrammable quantum computer is built.

Types of Computers
1. Analog Computers – Analog computers are built with various
components such as gears and levers, with no electrical
components. One advantage of analogue computation is that
designing and building an analogue computer to tackle a specific
problem can be quite straightforward.
2. Digital Computers – Information in digital computers is represented
in discrete form, typically as sequences of 0s and 1s (binary digits, or
bits). A digital computer is a system or gadget that can process any
type of information in a matter of seconds. Digital computers are
categorized into many different types. They are as follows:
a. Mainframe computers – It is a computer that is generally utilized
by large enterprises for mission-critical activities such as massive
data processing. Mainframe computers were distinguished by
massive storage capacities, quick components, and powerful
computational capabilities. Because they were complicated
systems, they were managed by a team of systems programmers
who had sole access to the computer. These machines are now
referred to as servers rather than mainframes.
b. Supercomputers – The most powerful computers to date are
commonly referred to as supercomputers. Supercomputers are
enormous systems that are purpose-built to solve complicated
 scientific and industrial problems. Quantum mechanics, weather
forecasting, oil and gas exploration, molecular modelling,
physical simulations, aerodynamics, nuclear fusion research, and
cryptoanalysis are all done on supercomputers.
c. Minicomputers – A minicomputer is a type of computer that has
many of the same features and capabilities as a larger computer
but is smaller in size. Minicomputers, which were relatively small
and affordable, were often employed in a single department of
an organization and were often dedicated to a specific task or
shared by a small group.
d. Microcomputers – A microcomputer is a small computer that is
based on a microprocessor integrated circuit, often known as a
chip. A microcomputer is a system that incorporates at a
minimum a microprocessor, program memory, data memory,
and input-output system (I/O). A microcomputer is now
commonly referred to as a personal computer (PC).
e. Embedded processors – These are miniature computers that
control electrical and mechanical processes with basic
microprocessors. Embedded processors are often simple in
design, have limited processing capability and I/O capabilities,
and need little power. Ordinary microprocessors and
microcontrollers are the two primary types of embedded
processors. Embedded processors are employed in systems that
do not require the computing capability of traditional devices
such as desktop computers, laptop computers, or workstations.

FAQs on History of Computers

Q: The principle of modern computers was proposed by ____

A. Steve Jobs
B. Adam Osborne
C. Alan Turing
D. Charles Babbage
Ans: The correct answer is C.

Q: Who introduced the first computer from home use in 1981?

A. IBM
B. Apple
C. Microsoft
D. Sun Technology
Ans: Answer is A. IBM made the first home-use personal computer.

Q: Third generation computers used which programming language?

A. Java
B. Machine language
C. FORTRAN
D. C and C++
Ans: The correct option is C.