History Of Computers Essay, Research Paper
Early Computational Devices
Somewhere around 3000BC the first mechanical counting device created was the abacus. The abacus is still used today and, amazingly to me, with great speed and accuracy.
In 1642 another mechanical device was created called the Pascaline (after Blaise Pascal, a famous French mathematician). The Pascaline used gears and wheels (”counting-wheels”) to perform the calculations. The interesting thing to note is that the counting-wheel design was used in calculators until the 1960s.
The next major breakthrough in computer history revolves around Charles Babbage and his Difference Engine and Analytical Engine. The machines that Charles designed in the early 1800s were not electronic computers as we know them now but they were general-purpose computational devices that were designed to be driven by steam. Charles is credited with being the “Father of Computing” due to the fact that his designs were WAY ahead of his time. He laid the foundation for the modern computer.
Fuentes 2
Early Computers
Another computer development spurred by the war was the Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer (ENIAC) produced by a partnership between the U.S. government and the University of Pennsylvania. Consisting of 18,000 vacuum tubes, 70,000 resistors and 5 million soldered joints, the computer was such a massive piece of machinery that it consumed 160 kilowatts of electrical power, enough energy to dim the lights in an entire section of Philadelphia. Developed by John Presper Eckert (1919-1995) and John W. Mauchly (1907-1980), ENIAC, unlike the Colossus and Mark I, was a general-purpose computer that computed at speeds 1,000 times faster than Mark I.
These first computers were extremely large, slow, and inefficient. Many things happened between the creation of the ENIAC and now. Among the most interesting and pertinent to us in this course is the development of the microcomputer. The major development of the microcomputer took place in the 1970s during a time when most of us were alive to witness it firsthand. During this time we have seen the creation of huge and very profitable corporations including Microsoft, Apple, Dell, Compaq, etc. and the growth and prosperity of pioneering companies like IBM.
Fuentes 3
Generations of Computers…
First Generation
The first generation of computers took place during the mid1940s to the late 1950s. The computers that were created during this time used vacuum tubes and wires for their circuitry. If you’ve ever had or been around a vacuum tube television, radio, or amplifier you know that, when they are left on for any length of time, they get very hot and, like light bulbs, they burn out. In addition to vacuum tubes, the first-generation computers used magnetic drums for main memory. The use of magnetic drums and vacuum tubes required that these computers were HUGE, some up to half a football field in size! They also were very expensive to operate, generated a lot of heat, used a lot of electricity, and failed (shut down) often. The programming of these computers (having them perform a different task) required that wires were disconnected from one place and connected to another or that one circuit was turned on and another turned off. All programming during this generation was done in Machine Language – the language of the machine (1s and 0s)!
Fuentes 4
Second Generation
The second generation of computers took place during the late 1950s to mid 1960s. Just like the evolution of televisions, radios, and amplifiers during this time revolved around the shift from vacuum tube to transistor, so did computers. The use of transistors allowed radios, TVs, amplifiers, and computers to become much smaller, faster, less energy-draining, etc. Main memory (RAM) shifted from revolving magnetic drums to tiny wire-wrapped magnetic donuts called magnetic core memory. This also allowed computers to become much smaller and more efficient. Programming languages evolved from the 1s and 0s of machine language to something closer to the language of humans. These languages are known as assemblers and early high level languages and were easier to use for humans but required more work by the computer. They are still a long cry from English. Companies that were purchasing computers during this time were using them mostly for accounting purposes and interacted with the computer via punched cards for input and reams of printed paper for output.
Fuentes 5
Third Generation
The third generation of computers began during the mid1960s and lasted until the mid 1970s. Computers became much smaller, much faster, and much more affordable due to creation of the integrated circuit. Main memory for computers during this time was made out of silicon. The use of silicon chips and integrated circuits brought the creation of the minicomputer (multi-user desk sized computers). It was during this time period that humans began to interact with computers directly through the use of terminals with keyboards and monitors.
Fourth Generation
The fourth generation began in the mid 1970s and, as many would argue, is still going on. The trend continues during this period as well; faster, smaller, and cheaper! Integrated circuits continue to get smaller and the circuits continue to get more and more complex. This integration is known as very large scale integration (VLSI). Microcomputers and supercomputers were both created during this time period and telecommunications (making computers communicate with each other) has become the biggest challenge
Другие работы по теме:
College Admision Essay Research Paper Being accepted
College Admision Essay, Research Paper Being accepted into College would open up a lot of opportunities for my future. Ever since I was a child, I have been in awe about how computers operate. At the age of fifteen, I got a summer job at Fallon Clinic, doing computer repair and computer networking. Later I proceeded to build a computer out of spare parts, and from then on I have wanted to be a computer engineer.
My Life As A Poet Essay Research
Paper Are the philosophical, educational, and sociological theories of childhood reflected in literature for children? If so, how? To what extent does Aesop contribute to our understanding of many early children’s books?
Art History Essay Research Paper M
Art History Essay, Research Paper ?M & M ? s? When I entered in the gym, the outside morning quiet, softly blowing breeze stopped and the screams of go Phillips was
Computers 2 Essay Research Paper People use
Computers 2 Essay, Research Paper People use computers everyday. Some people know how to use one some people don’t. But not too many people can understand how the computer works and its processing. I have been taught how it works and I understand it very well. The best way to explain it would be to compare it to the United States Postal Service and how it works.
History Of Sacraments Essay Research Paper In
History Of Sacraments Essay, Research Paper In the early church, before the year 313 A.D., Christianity was illegal. After the year 313, around 380, Constantine legalized Christianity. The first order in which the sacraments were celebrated was Baptism, Confirmation, and First Communion. The process of receiving all three sacraments at once was done at the Easter Vigil, and they were performed by the bishops, deacons, and deaconesses.
Computers Essay Research Paper Computers make our
Computers Essay, Research Paper Computers make our lives much easier in a variety of ways. They save time and if used properly, money. Because of this, computer skills are now a necessity, not a convenience. This is a fact because the computer is a great reference source, a productive tool, and provides the invaluable use of the Internet.
ROTC Entrence Essay Essay Research Paper entrance
ROTC Entrence Essay Essay, Research Paper entrance essay For almost as long as I cn remember, I have been interested in th military. Influenced by such movies as “Patton”, and by my dad’s interest in military history, my
Magazine Assignment Essay Research Paper English205 TTH
Magazine Assignment Essay, Research Paper English205 TTH 11:30 9/2/99 The Magazine Assignment 1. The claim of this ad is you should buy this scanner because it’s easy to use. In the ad it says “one touch scanning” which means the scanner is very quick and easy to use.
Evolution Of Species Essay Research Paper I
Evolution Of Species Essay, Research Paper I’m sitting down at a computer that has very vast capabilities. It is capable of almost any application, but it being only the size of my history textbook, leaves it fragile and vulnerable. With a few light slams, or the pass of a powerful magnet, it’s very existence could be destroyed.
John Vincent Atanasoff Essay Research Paper John
John Vincent Atanasoff Essay, Research Paper John Vincent Atanasoff inventor of the electronic computer In any scienctific field, there needs to be a person with the vision to define the future. John Vincent Atanasoff was a genius with such a vision. He developed the first electronic digital computer that has dramatically changed our lives.
Revolution Essay Research Paper THE HISTORY OF
Revolution Essay, Research Paper THE HISTORY OF INFORMATION SOCIETY All human being live in wold of information society where knowledge workers channel their energies to provide huge of information services. The knowledge worker’s job function turns around the use, and distribution of information.
Fab Essay Research Paper The history of
Fab Essay, Research Paper The history of the computer began 2000 years ago with the invention of the abacus. Though this invention only allowed for simple arithmetic calculations, it was still very effective. A great many years after this, another calculation device, the first digital calculator, was created by Blaise Pascal in order to help his father who was a tax collector .
Voice Recognition Essay Research Paper The future
Voice Recognition Essay, Research Paper The future is here! Computers deciphering speech, cars commandeered by satellite and miracles of miniaturization are a reality. Are you ready to take advantage of this technology? Voice recognition along with these other new advances in technology are going to vastly increase the accessibility and function of personal computers.
Computers Essay Research Paper Computers are found
Computers Essay, Research Paper Computers are found in practically every household today. Everywhere you look, people have access to a Personal Computer, someway or another. As computers get more advanced, the demand for a better computer gets greater.
Untitled Essay Research Paper A hacker is
Untitled Essay, Research Paper A hacker is a person obsessed with computers. At the heart of the obsession is a drive master the computer. The classic hacker was simply a
My Hero Essay Research Paper We hear
My Hero Essay, Research Paper We hear the word hero all of the time. The news media throws the term around as if it is an everyday word. What exactly is a hero? Who, or what, can be classified as a heroic? The correct definition of the word hero is: One invested with heroic qualities in the opinions of others. That is a fine definition for books and intellectual minds.
What Should And Shouldn
’t Computer Be Allowed To Run Essay, Research Paper What Should and Shouldn’t Computer Be Allowed To Run Computers have always scared people. Not just because they can be
Flight Essay Research Paper History of Flight
Flight Essay, Research Paper History of Flight The history of flying dates back as early as the fifteenth century. A Renaissance man named Leonardo da Vinci introduced a flying machine known as the ornithopter. Da Vinci proposed the idea of a machine that had bird like flying capabilities. Today no ornithopters exist due to the restrictions of humans, and that the ornithopters just aren t practical.
Computers Essay Research Paper Why We StartedInternet
Computers! Essay, Research Paper Why We Started Internet Mental Health is a free encyclopedia of mental health information. It was designed by a Canadian psychiatrist, Dr. Phillip Long, and programmed by his colleague, Brian Chow.
Computers In Education Essay Research Paper Education
Computers In Education Essay, Research Paper Education has been changing so much in the last few years with the introduction to the computers both in the classroom and at home with the students. Students are no longer expected to write papers but type them up; Papers are no longer expected to be just writing but integrated with pictures and graphs; Projects have also changed from who can learn the most to who can make it look good.
Computers In Education Essay Research Paper Computers
Computers In Education Essay, Research Paper Computers in Education The typical school has 1 computer per 20 students, a ratio that computer educators feel is still not high enough to affect classroom learning as much as
Computer Gave Technology A Bo Essay
, Research Paper The computer has come a long way since it was first invented, which put the power of technology in the spotlight. Through the years there have been many advances with the help of computers. Advances in which have been of great help.
People And Machines Essay Research Paper People
People And Machines Essay, Research Paper People and Machines The problem is not with the machine: it is with the man who allows himself to become mechanical. People work on machines all day long. Many of
The Internet And World Wide Web Defined
Essay, Research Paper Christopher L. Isaacs 1010 ? Technical Writing Extended Definition 00 March 6th The ?Internet? and ?World Wide Web? Defined In recent years the Internet and World Wide Web (WWW) have become more and more popular as an information resource. Many people believe that the WWW is the same as the Internet.
Computer Science Essay Research Paper Computer science
Computer Science Essay, Research Paper Computer science is one of the fastest growing career fields in modern history. Dating back only a few decades to the late 1950’s and early 1960’s, it has become on of the leading industries in the world today. Developed through the technological architecture of electrical engineering and the computational language of mathematics, the science of computer technology has provided considerable recognition and financial gain for many of its well deserving pioneers.
Computer Technology 3 Essay Research Paper Over
Computer Technology 3 Essay, Research Paper Over the past half century, computer technology has transformed our world by providing us with incredible tools for processing and communicating information. A number of organizations have recognized the importance of computer technology by establishing museums or archives dedicated to the history of computing and the computer industry but, unfortunately, very little has been done to preserve the history of the software industry.
Computers Essay Research Paper Computers Today
Computers Essay, Research Paper Computers Today computers are a part of our everyday life; can you imagine a world without computers? There are many kinds of computers. For example, there are desktop computers, laptop computers, and palmtop computers. These are the most popular ones. However, there are many other types of computers.
Early To Bed Essay Research Paper Early
Early To Bed Essay, Research Paper Early to Bed ?Early to bed early to rise makes a man healthy wealthy and wise,? is one of the most widely quoted proverbs from Benjamin Franklin’s Poor Richard’s