History of Computer Evolution Quiz

The ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator And Computer) was significant in the context of World War II as it was designed to assist the Army’s Ballistics Research Laboratory in developing accurate range and trajectory tables for new weapons. Its technical specifications include being the world’s first general purpose electronic digital computer, weighing 30 tons, occupying 1500 square feet of floor space, and containing more than 18,000 vacuum tubes. When operating, it consumed 140 kilowatts of power. The ENIAC was a decimal machine with a memory consisting of 20 'accumulators,' each capable of holding a 10-digit decimal number.

The primary purpose of the ENIAC computer was to assist the Army’s Ballistics Research Laboratory in developing accurate range and trajectory tables for new weapons. The Laboratory was having difficulty supplying these tables accurately and within a reasonable time frame, which rendered the new weapons and artillery useless to gunners. The ENIAC addressed this need by providing a solution for the accurate and timely calculation of firing tables, thus ensuring the effectiveness of the new weapons.

The transformation from the First Generation to the Third Generation in the evolution of computers marked a significant shift in technology. Vacuum Tubes were replaced by Transistors in the Second Generation, leading to smaller, more reliable, and less power-consuming computers. The Third Generation introduced Integrated Circuits, which further reduced the size and power consumption of computers while increasing their processing capabilities. This evolution paved the way for modern computing devices and revolutionized the field of technology.

<p>The memory of the ENIAC computer consisted of 20 'accumulators,' each capable of holding a 10-digit decimal number. The numbers were represented in decimal form, and arithmetic was performed in the decimal system. A ring of 10 vacuum tubes represented each digit, with only one vacuum tube being in the ON state at any time, representing one of the 10 digits.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The Army’s Ballistics Research Laboratory was facing challenges in supplying accurate range and trajectory tables for new weapons within a reasonable time frame. Without these firing tables, the new weapons and artillery were useless to gunners, posing a significant obstacle to the effectiveness of the weaponry.</p> Signup and view all the answers