The Evolution of Computers

-Aritra Biswas

Introduction: Counting Tools to Thinking Machines

The history of computers is one of the most outstanding tracks of humanity. What once was a mere utilization of tools to help in counting and calculating, has now become an influential machine that can learn, reason and change almost every form of new life in modern times. Development of computers demonstrates development of science, engineering and human imagination centuries of human development.

Mechanical and manual computing – Early Foundations

Manual calculations had been used long before the beginning of electronic computers and the use of manual devices helped people to calculate. One of the earliest arithmetical tools was the abacus that was in use thousands of years ago in Asia and the Middle East. Mechanical calculators like the Calculator by Pascal and Step Reckoner by Leibniz, used in the 17th century, used gears and wheels to perform mathematical operations in an automated way.

During the 19th century, Charles Babbage developed the concept of the Analytical Engine, a machine made of metal that had concepts of input, processing, memory, and output (that are similar to modern computers). Babbage never completed this vision in his time, but the intellectual basis of his vision was laid, which has inspired the development of computing in the future.

1940s-1950s: Vacuum Tubes First Generation Computer

The World War II and the subsequent generation of computers came into existence. These were vacuum tube based machines that took up whole rooms to process information. They were indeed very powerful during their era and the greatest demerits they had was that they consumed huge quantities of electricity, produced too much heat and it tended to crash at any time.

The computers such as the ENIAC were able to compute at a previously unheard of speed and they were primarily used in scientific and military applications. Machine language was used as the programming language making it complex and prone to errors. The first-generation computers demonstrated that it was possible to have electronic computing despite their limitations.

Second Generation Computers (1950s -1960s): Transistors

The transistor was invented and this became a turning point of the computer evolution. Bulky vacuum tubes were eliminated by transistors which shrunk computers and made them fast, reliable and energy efficient. There was also the creation of assembly languages and early high-level programming languages; this was used to simplify the coding in this generation.

Computers were used in a larger variety of settings than in military ones as access by universities and large organizations was increased. The level of reliability increased greatly and more complex and long computations were possible.

As early as the 1960s, the Third Generation Computers (designated as such between 1960s and 1970s) saw the introduction of the first integrated circuit in America (the first in the world).

Larger transistors were packed in a single silicon chip as the third generation brought integrated circuits (ICs). This innovation made size and cost to be extremely less and speed and efficiency to be elevated. The introduction of operating system, keyboards and monitors made computers user-friendly.

Computers were capable of performing more than one task at a time, which is called multiprogramming, the first time. This period formed the foundation of today computing environments and high-level commercial application.

Fourth Generation Computers (1970s right up to now): Microprocessors

The microprocessor invention did not spare computing because it put in one chip a complete CPU. This invention led to the personal computers (PCs) whereby computation was no longer the responsibility of institutions but now individuals.

Also computers were made smaller, cheaper, and stronger during this time. The invention of the graphical user interfaces, the internet, and software applications are what changed computers to become the daily communication, education, business, and entertainment tools.

Generation Five and Beyond: Artificial Intelligence and Quantum Computing

The modern-day computers are entering a phase that is characterized by artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning and a high level of automation. Nowadays, speech recognition, analysis of large amounts of data and predictions can be implemented with minimum human intervention.

On the edge of the innovation is quantum computing that applies the concepts of quantum mechanics to do calculations that have been outside the scope of classical computers. This technology is still in its initial phase and is bound to bring revolutions in the fields of medicine, cryptography, and scientific research.

Conclusion: An Ongoing Process

Computer evolution is a legend of the human creativity and resistance. Computers have continuously transformed society since they were the mere simple counting devices to the smart machines. With the development of technology, computers will not only become more powerful but will also be more incorporated in our everyday lives and the world is moving towards a stage where nothing limits innovation.