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Computers are an integral tool in our lives, which has changed the mode of working, social interaction, and access to information in the computerised world. However, it is surprising that the history of computers started centuries before the modern, complex machinery that we have today. What is more interesting is to dig deeper into the different generations of computers and get a brief description of how they work.
The history of computers dates back several centuries, when man began constructing certain mechanical devices that would assist in calculation. These devices have become advanced and are what we use in the present time. Let’s proceed and explore the exciting story of computers and their generations together.
The first generation of computers was developed in the period between the 1940s and the 1950s. These early computers were huge in size and used vacuum tubes in order to process the data. Some of the first-generation computers include the ENIAC and the UNIVAC. They were mainly employed in mathematical computations and data processing for scientific as well as military purposes.
The second generation of computers came up in the late 1950s and early 1960s. This period was marked by important innovations, such as the development of the transistor, which replaced vacuum tubes. The transistor transformed a computer into a smaller, reliable, and more energy-efficient system. Some of the computers in this generation include the IBM 1401 and CDC 1604 computers.
The third generation of computers came into existence during the 1960s and 1970s. Computer technology was revolutionised by the inclusion of integrated circuits, which are also called microchips. Integrated circuits place several transistors, capacitors, and resistors on the same chip, thus making computers smaller and cheaper to produce. This period also featured mini-computers and the emergence of personal computers, also known as PCs.