LESSON 2

Evolution of Computers

TOPICS
1. Creator and Machines
2. Computer Generation

LEARNING OUTCOMES
At the end of the lesson, you should be able to:
1. To become familiar to creator of computers
2. Individual Research: Define each generations of computers and
overview the basic connections of computers to society.

TOPIC 1: Creator and Machines

In the early years, before the computer was invented, there are several inventions of
counting machines.
YEAR CREATOR MACHINES
200 BC Ancient Chinese Abacus

Cheng Dawei
500 BC

Egy ptian
Darius Vase Abacus

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1620 Napier’s Bones

John Napier
1653 Pascaline

Blaise Pascal
1673 Leibniz’s Rechner

Gottfried Von Leibniz

1801 Weaving Loom

Joseph Marie Jacquard

1823 Mechanical Calculator
Machine

Charles Babbage

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1941 Mark 1

TOPIC 2: Computer Generations

COMPUTER GENERATIONS FIRST GENERATION (1940-1956)

The first generation of computer were huge, slow, expensive and often unreliable.
In 1946, two Americans, Presper Eckert and Willian Mauchly build the ENIAC (Electronic
Numerical Integrator and Computer). It use vacuum tube instead of mechanical switches
of the MARK 1.

In 1951, Eckert and Mauchly build the UNIVAC, which could calculate at the rate of 10,000
addition per seconds.

Technology Details
Vacuum Tube The vacuum tube was an extremely
important step of the advancement of
computers. In a computer, a vacuum tube
which is an electronic tube about the size
of light bulbs, was used as the internal
computer components. Thousands of
them were used.
Punched Card Punched card was used to store data.

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 Magnetic Tape Magnetic tape was introduced in 1957. It
was a faster and a more compact method
of storing data. Using magnetic tape
became more reliable and cost-effective.

SECOND GENERATION (1956-1963)

The famous computer scientists during the second generation era were:

The creation of transistor spark the production of a

wave of second generation computer. Transistor was
small devices use to transfer electronic signals across
a resister. Transistors had many advantages compared
to other hardware technology.

Transistors were smaller than vacuum tubes

• They needed no warm up time
• Consumed less energy
• Generated much less heat
• Faster and more reliable
THIRD GENERATION (1964-1971)

In the third generation era, the IBM 370 series were

introduced in 1964. It came in several models and sizes.
It was used for business and scientific programs. Other
computer models introduced were CDC 7600 and
B2500.

The development of integrated circuit (IC), signal the

beginning of the third generation computers. Silicone chips
were manufactured in 1961 at the Silicone Valley. Then
came the integrated circuit technology, which had reduced
the size and cost of computers.

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It is a complete electronic circuit on a small chip of silicone. Which is also known as
semiconductor. Other than that, the Magnetic Core Memory was replaced by a device
called the microchip. Also the first 256 bit RAM was introduced and it was the basis for
development of 1K bit RAM.
ADVANTAGES

A new concept in this generation was that of a family of computer which allowed computer to
be upgraded and expanded as necessary.

• Silicone chips were reliable, compact and cheaper.

• Sold hardware and software separately which created the Software industry.
• Customer service industry flourished (reservation and credit checks)
FOURTH GENERATION (1971-PRESENT)

It took only 55 years for the 4 generations to evolve. The growth of the computer industry
developed technologies of computer inventions. There are many types of computer
models such as:

• Apple Macintosh
• IBM
• DELL ACER
In 1971 Intel created the first microprocessor. In 1976,
Steve Jobs built the first Apple computer. Then, in 1981,
IBM introduced its first personal computer. During the fourth generation, hardware
technology such as silicone chips, microprocessor and storage devices were invented. A
microprocessor is
a specialized chip
which is
developed for
computer memory
and logic.

The Microprocessor is a large-scale integrated circuit which

contained thousands of transistors. The transistors on this one
chip are capable of performing all of the functions of a
computer's central processing unit.
Advantages

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 • Computers became 100 times smaller than ENIAC (Electronic
Numerical Integrator and Computer) the first computer
• Gain in speed, reliability and storage capacity
• Personal and software industry boomed
FIFTH GENERATION (PRESENT & BEYOND)
The fifth generation computers are technologically
advance and are still being development to become more
efficient. The inventions of new hardware technology in
the fifth generation have grown rapidly including many
other modern computer devices such as:

• Silicone chips
• Processor
• Robotics
• Virtual reality
• Intelligent systems
• Programs which translate languages
NEW ERA COMPUTER

After the fifth generation computer, the technology of computer has become more
advanced, modern and sophisticated. The latest invention in the era of computers are:

• Super Computers
• Mainframe Computers
• Mini Computers · Personal Computers
• Mobile Computers
• Personal Computers
In the new era of computers, expert system such as
teleconferencing and speechrecognition system have been invented as part of modern
world communication tools.

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 TASK 2.1

Instructions: There are several inventions of counting machines. Write the corresponding
answer in each picture according to their invention.

1.

_____________________________________________________

2.
______________________________________________________

3. ______________________________________________________

4. ______________________________________________________

5. ______________________________________________________

TASK 2.1

MULTIPLE CHOICE: Encircle the letter of the correct answer.

1. What generation of computer were huge, slow, expensive and often

unreliable. And in this generation the ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator
and Computer) was build by two Americans Presper Eckert and Willian
Mauchly in 1946.
a. First Generation

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 b. Second Generation
c. Fifth Generation
d. Fourth Generation

2. This generation computers are technologically advance and are still being
development to become more efficient and the inventions of new hardware
technology in this generation have grown rapidly including many other
modern computer devices. a. New Era
b. First Generation
c. Fourth Generation
d. Fifth Generation

3. In this generation era, the IBM 370 series were introduced in 1964. It came in
several models and sizes. It was used for business and scientific programs.
Other computer models introduced were CDC 7600 and B2500 a. Second
Generation
b. First Generation
c. Fourth Generation
d. Fifth Generation

4. What are the sample of latest invention in the new era of computers
a. Super Computers, Personal Computers
b. Apple Macintosh, IBM
c. Silicone chips, Processor
d. Vacuum Tube

5. Charles Babbage invented?

a. Egyptian Abacus
b. Mechanical Calculator Machine
c. Punched Card
d. Magnetic Tape

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