Generations of Computers

Study Notes

First Generation: (1940s-1950s) relied on vacuum tubes for operation. Notable computers include ENIAC, UNIVAC, IBM 650, and IBM 701.
Second Generation: (1950s-1960s) used transistors, which were smaller, faster, and more reliable than vacuum tubes. Key examples are IBM 1401, IBM 7090 and 7094, and UNIVAC 1107.
Third Generation: (1960s-1970s) utilized integrated circuits (ICs) which contained many transistors on a single chip. Popular machines from this era include IBM 360, IBM 370, PDP-11, and UNIVAC 1108.
Fourth Generation: (1970s-Present) saw the emergence of microprocessors, which integrated the entire CPU onto a single chip. This led to the creation of personal computers like the IBM PC, STAR 1000, APPLE II, and Apple Macintosh.
Fifth Generation: (Present and Future) focuses on artificial intelligence (AI). Computers from this generation are used for various tasks including running desktops, laptops, tablets, and smartphones.

Vacuum Tube: An electronic device controlling electron flow in a vacuum.
Transistor: An electronic component acting as an amplifier or a switch.
Integrated Circuit (IC): A miniaturized electronic circuit printed on a chip, containing various elements like transistors, diodes, and resistors.
Microprocessor: An electronic component that houses the CPU and other circuits on an integrated circuit.
CPU (Central Processing Unit): The brain of a computer, where most processing and operations take place.
Magnetic Drum: A cylinder coated with magnetic material, used to store data and programs.
Magnetic Core: Uses arrays of small magnetized rings called cores to store information.
Machine Language: A low-level language consisting of binary digits (ones and zeros) that can be understood by a computer.
Memory: A device used to store data, information, and programs in a computer.
Artificial Intelligence (AI): A field of computer science focusing on computer systems that can simulate and create intelligent behavior by thinking, learning, working, and reacting like humans.

Petroglyphs: Signs or figures carved into rock.
Ideographs: Symbols representing ideas and concepts.
Cuneiform: The first true written language and information system.
Sumerians: Utilized a stylus and wet clay for writing.
Egyptians: Papyrus was used for writing (2600 BC).
Chinese: Created paper from rags (100 AD).
Books and Libraries:
- Mesopotamia: Religious leaders housed the earliest books.
- Egyptians: Kept scrolls.
- Greeks (600 BC): Sheets of papyrus were folded and bound into volumes.

Egyptians: Used vertical lines (|) for numbers 1-9, U or O for 10, coiled rope for 100, and lotus blossom for 1000.
Hindus (100-200 AD): Developed the 9-digit numbering system.
- The concept of zero was introduced around 875 AD.
Abacus: The first calculator invented in Babylonia and popularized in China.

Johann Gutenberg (1450): Invented the movable metal-type printing process.
John Napier: Created logarithms (LOGS) simplifying multiplication and division.
Arabian Lattice: Created a special multiplication chart on wooden rods.
Wilhelm Schickard: Built the first mechanical calculator capable of six-digit calculations.
William Oughtred: Developed the slide rule.
Blaise Pascal: Invented the Pascaline, a mechanical calculator for addition and subtraction.
Gottfried Leibniz: Developed the Stepped Reckoner, a mechanical calculator.
Joseph-Marie Jacquard: Created the automatic loom controlled by punch cards.
Charles Xavier Thomas de Colmar: Developed the Arithmometer, the first mass-produced calculator.
Charles Babbage: The "Father of Modern Computer," who invented the Difference Engine and Analytical Engine.
Lady Ada Augusta Lovelace Byron: The first computer programmer.
Alessandro Volta: Invented the Voltaic Battery, the first electric battery.
Samuel F.B. Morse: Developed the electromagnetic telegraph.
Alexander Graham Bell: Invented the first working telephone.
Guglielmo Marconi (Radio): Discovered that radio waves travel through space.
George Boole: Created Boolean Algebra, a binary algebra.
Pehr and Edward Scheutz: Completed the first printing difference engine.