Computer History: The Start of Modern Era

Questions and Answers

What physical mediums could represent a number or quantity?

Pebbles, vacuum tubes, marks on paper, transistors, and integrated circuits can represent numbers or quantities.

Identify the main reason Charles Babbage's early computing device was considered vulnerable.

Babbage's early device was vulnerable due to its sensitivity to the smallest imperfections.

Who is known as the world's first computer programmer, and what was her contribution?

Ada Lovelace is known as the first computer programmer, having developed instructions for computations on Babbage's analytical engine.

What was the significant advancement in computation speeds shown by Herman Hollerith’s machine compared to the previous census method?

Hollerith's machine completed the counting process in 6 weeks, compared to over 7 years for hand-done tabulation. Signup and view all the answers

How did the design of Babbage's analytical engine embody features of modern computers?

It included components such as input, storage, processor, control unit, and output. Signup and view all the answers

What role did Babbage's analytical engine play in the evolution of computers?

It was a pioneering design that proposed the concept of programmable machines and influenced later developments. Signup and view all the answers

What was the importance of Herman Hollerith's contribution to the United States census?

His tabulating machine significantly sped up the counting process, showcasing the benefits of automation. Signup and view all the answers

In what way did Ada Lovelace's work challenge existing views of computation in her time?

Lovelace recognized that Babbage’s machine could perform more than numerical calculations, seeing it as a general-purpose device. Signup and view all the answers

How did the introduction of transistors impact computing technology?

Transistors replaced vacuum tubes, leading to smaller, more efficient, and reliable computers. Signup and view all the answers

What societal changes can be attributed to the development of early computing machines like those designed by Babbage and Hollerith?

These machines revolutionized data processing, improving efficiency in various sectors including government and business. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Evolution of Computers

The shift to electrical power in computing began in 1924, moving away from mechanical power.

Early Computers

Late 1942: Atanasoff-Berry Computer (ABC) developed, recognized as the first electronic digital computer.
1944: IBM's Mark I, created by Howard Aiken, was unveiled.
1946: ENIAC, based on the ABC, was introduced as the first general-purpose computer.

First Generation (1951-1958): The Vacuum Tube

1951: UNIVAC 1 delivered to the US Bureau of the Census, marking its relevance for business applications.
Utilized thousands of vacuum tubes, which posed challenges like heat issues and frequent failures.
1957: Magnetic tape storage was adopted for data management.

Second Generation (1959-1964): The Transistor

Bell Labs developed the transistor, enhancing electronic devices' efficiency and size.
Transistors were smaller, required no warm-up time, and consumed less power, increasing reliability.
Transition from machine language to assembly language and high-level languages began.
Computers primarily used by businesses, universities, and government entities.

Third Generation (1965-1970): The Integrated Circuit

Integrated Circuits (ICs) allowed multiple electronic components to be placed on a single silicon chip.
ICs started to replace transistors in 1965, contributing to significant size and efficiency improvements.
More advanced software solutions emerged, allowing access to computers via terminals.

Fourth Generation (1971-Today): The Microprocessor

Introduction of Intel's 4004 microprocessor, marked by general-purpose processing on a chip.
Enabled the development of various digital devices like calculators and watches.

Fifth Generation (Today-Future): Artificial Intelligence

AI research initiated by Japan’s MITI in the 1970s, focusing on high-level computations using parallel processing.
1981: Launch of IBM PC, the first mainstream personal computer.
1983: Apple Lisa was introduced as the first home computer to feature a graphical user interface (GUI).
1984: Apple Macintosh followed, further popularizing PCs.

Basic Components of a Computer System

A computer accepts input data, processes it to create useful information, stores instructions and results, and produces final output.

Role of Information Technology

IT supports managing information through modern technology for capturing, storing, retrieving, analyzing, and communicating data.
IT spans various fields including education, finance, travel, government, manufacturing, health, and publishing.

Historical Context of Computing

Early counting methods utilized physical objects (e.g., pebbles, marks).
Charles Babbage proposed the analytical engine, incorporating features of modern computers such as input processing, storage, and output.
Ada Lovelace, known as the first computer programmer, contributed to Babbage’s theoretical framework.
Herman Hollerith invented a tabulating machine, revolutionizing the 1890 US census process, reducing counting time significantly, and later founded IBM Corp.

Description

Explore the pivotal moments in computer history from the development of the Atanasoff-Berry Computer in 1942 to the unveiling of the ENIAC in 1946. This quiz highlights the transition from mechanical to electronic computing and the innovations that shaped modern technology. Test your knowledge on key milestones and figures in the evolution of computers.