History of Computer
The ENIAC
(Electronic Numeral Integrator and Computer)
ENIAC was the first fully electronic computer ever made. It was built secretly during Second World War at University of Pennsylvania, U.S. Its main task was to calculate the ballistic trajectories. All of instruction given to ENIAC must be specified in binary numbers instead of human words.
ENIAC was enormous in size: nearly 30 tons - 30,000 kg - in weight and 167 m2 space in need (around a volleyball court). It cost roughly $500,000 at that time, which is nearly $6,000,000 in present currency. ENIAC used 17,000 vacuum tubes, 7,200 crystal diodes, 70,000 resistor, 10,000 capacitors.. it was very huge.
Consequently, ENIAC produces huge amount of heat which triggers error from time to time. The longest moment without failure was 116 hours - five days.
Despite the errors and the cost, ENIAC is respected and considered as the first and the eldest generation of computer; it signifies the beginning of digital technology.
Second and Third Generation Computers
1956 - 1971
Transistors were considered the 2nd generation of computers. It was proven faster and produced less heat compared to ENIAC. Second generation computers had allowed programmer to specify instruction in words. The early version of higher programming language, COBOL and FORTRAN, were also developed in this era.
Integrated Circuits signifies the 3rd generation of computers. Thousand of transistors were miniaturized and placed on silicon chips; called semiconductors - this drastically increase the speed of a computer. Computers were able to be mass produced for the first time because of the smaller components.
Fourth Generation Computers
1971- Present
Microprocessors were the sign of fourth generation of computer. These thousand of compacted ICs were hugely increasing the computer's speed and efficiency.
The first microprocessor ever was created by Intel back in 1971, named Intel 4004. All of the central processing unit, memory, to input/output control were on a single chip.
Microprocessors made small and powerful home-using computers; and led to the development of the Internet in the years to come.