The History of the Computer Revolution

The computer has come a long way in the last sixty years. It started out as a tool for the world’s greatest minds. Scientists, mathematicians, and philosophers could all benefit from a super-fast method of crunching numbers or testing hypotheses. The first computers were huge (think room-sized mainframe) and required the input of human operators for day-to-day operations. Today, we are in the era of the personal computer. We can store, process, and store data at the speed of thought without the need of a master analyst. The computer has come a long way in the last sixty years. It started out as a tool for the world’s greatest minds. Scientists, mathematicians, and philosophers could all benefit from a super-fast method of crunching numbers or testing hypotheses. The first computers were huge (think room-sized mainframe) and required the input of human operators for day-to-day operations. Today, we are in the era of the personal computer. We can store, process, and store data at the speed of thought without the need of a master analyst.

In this article, we’ll talk about the history of computers, how they came to be, and the basic terms you should know.

The History of Computing

Computing has been part of human society for millennia. The first recorded use of computational techniques was by the Sumerians over 3500 years ago. The Sumerians were the first to use 1) a series of algorithms to predict astronomical events and 2) the numbering system. Using these techniques, the Sumerians were able to manage their agricultural and financial records with extreme accuracy. The ancient Egyptians made some of the first graphical computer programs. They understood the value of having written records to guide them through the processes of mummification and hieroglyphics were used to represent both numbers and letters. The ancient Greeks used geometry and algorithms to build sophisticated calculating machines. The Romans automated business processes and made extensive use of string and number analysis. However, it was the medieval Islamic scientists who are widely regarded as having had the most profound impact on modern computing. They made great strides in the fields of number theory and algorithm development. The Arabs also introduced the concept of units of measurement for computer programs.

The Difference between a Computer and a Computer Program

Computer programs and computer hardware are two very different things. A computer program is the set of instructions that make up the solution to a problem. It is the solution, not the problem itself. A computer program is made up of algorithms. An algorithm is a set of instructions that can computers to perform certain tasks. It can be as simple as telling a computer how to add two numbers or as complicated as telling the computer how to navigate a 3D virtual world.

Computer hardware refers to the physical devices (chips, boards, memory, etc.) that make up the computer.

The History of Computers

The first computers were huge (think room-sized mainframe) and required the input of human operators for day-to-day operations. Today, we are in the era of the personal computer. We can store, process, and store data at the speed of thought without the need of a master analyst.

In this article, we’ll talk about the history of computers, how they came to be, and the basic terms you should know.

A Brief History of Computers

In the early 1900s, technology was moving very slowly. The power of computers was limited to what you could fit on a desk or in a lab. Computers were large and clunky and required human operators to run them. Around this time, the first attempts at computer technology were made. In 1906, Hungarian engineer George Faludy built a mechanical computing device that was capable of adding two numbers. In 1914, American Howard Aiken completed the first calculating machine that was capable of performing addition, subtraction, and multiplication operations.

The Digital Revolution

In the 1950s and 1960s, transistors were invented that could be used to build very small and powerful computers. This is when the computer really took off as a practical tool. The first transistor-based computer was the Whirlwind, built in 1963. It was followed by the TX-0, which was the first commercialized computer that used transistors. These computers were used for specialized applications, such as air traffic control, weather forecasting, and missile guidance.

IBM and the Biggest Revolution in Computing

In the early 1960s, IBM (International Business Machines) was struck by an idea. They figured out how to use digital technology to make computers exponentially more powerful. The result was the IBM System/360 line of computers. This was the first computer system with multiple processors (central processing units, or CPUs). It was also the first computer to feature a soft front panel that could be removed to reveal a set of removable magnetic disks.

IBM - The Computer Giant That Changed the Game

IBM’s System/360 line of computers revolutionized the industry. It brought the concept of the computer to an entire new level. The System/360 was the first computer to be used solely for mainframe purposes. Thus, it was also known as the “Swiss Army Knife of Computers” because of its versatility. The System/360 could be used for business, administrative, scientific, or technical applications. It could also be configured to meet the specific needs of an industry or organization.