Generations of computer
Each generation of computer is characterized by a major technological development that fundamentally changed the way computers operate, resulting in increasingly smaller, cheaper, more powerful and more efficient and reliable devices.
First Generation (1940-1956) Vacuum Tubes
The first computers used vacuum tubes for circuitry and magnetic drums for memory, and were often enormous, taking up entire rooms. They were very expensive to operate and in addition to using a great deal of electricity, generated a lot of heat, which was often the cause of malfunctions.First generation computers relied on machine language, the lowest-level programming language understood by computers, to perform operations, and they could only solve one problem at a time. Input was based on punched cards and paper tape, and output was displayed on printouts.The UNIVAC and ENIAC computers are examples of first-generation computing devices. The UNIVAC was the first commercial computer delivered to a business client, the U.S. Census Bureau in 1951.
Second Generation (1956-1963) Transistors
Transistors replaced vacuum tubes and ushered in the second generation of computers. The transistor was invented in 1947 but did not see widespread use in computers until the late 1950s. The transistor was far superior to the vacuum tube, allowing computers to become smaller, faster, cheaper, more energy-efficient and more reliable than their first-generation predecessors. Though the transistor still generated a great deal of heat that subjected the computer to damage, it was a vast improvement over the vacuum tube. Second-generation computers still relied on punched cards for input and printouts for output.Second-generation computers moved from cryptic binary machine language to symbolic, or assembly, languages, which allowed programmers to specify instructions in words. High-level programming languages were also being developed at this time, such as early versions of COBOL and FORTRAN. These were also the first computers that stored their instructions in their memory, which moved from a magnetic drum to magnetic core technology.The first computers of this generation were developed for the atomic energy industry.Third Generation (1964-1971) Integrated Circuits
The development of the integrated circuit was the hallmark of the third generation of computers. Transistors were miniaturized and placed on silicon chips, called semiconductors, which drastically increased the speed and efficiency of computers.Instead of punched cards and printouts, users interacted with third generation computers through keyboards and monitors and interfaced with an operating system, which allowed the device to run many different applications at one time with a central program that monitored the memory. Computers for the first time became accessible to a mass audience because they were smaller and cheaper than their predecessors.Fourth Generation (1971-Present) Microprocessors
The microprocessor brought the fourth generation of computers, as thousands of integrated circuits were built onto a single silicon chip. What in the first generation filled an entire room could now fit in the palm of the hand. The Intel 4004 chip,
developed in 1971, located all the components of the computer—from the central processing unit and memory to input/output controls—on a single chip.In 1981 IBM introduced its first computer for the home user, and in 1984 Apple introduced the Macintosh. Microprocessors also moved out of the realm of desktop computers and into many areas of life as more and more everyday products began to use microprocessors.As these small computers became more powerful, they could be linked together to form networks, which eventually led to the development of the Internet. Fourth generation computers also saw the development of GUIs, the mouse and handheld devices.Fifth Generation (Present and Beyond) Artificial Intelligence
Fifth generation computing devices, based on artificial intelligence, are still in development, though there are some applications, such as voice recognition, that are being used today. The use of parallel processing and superconductors is helping to make artificial intelligence a reality. Quantum computation and molecular and nanotechnology will radically change the face of computers in years to come. The goal of fifth-generation computing is to develop devices that respond to natural language input and are capable of learning and self-organization.
First Generation (1940-1956) Vacuum Tubes
Second Generation (1956-1963) Transistors
Third Generation (1964-1971) Integrated Circuits
Fourth Generation (1971-Present) Microprocessors
developed in 1971, located all the components of the computer—from the central processing unit and memory to input/output controls—on a single chip.In 1981 IBM introduced its first computer for the home user, and in 1984 Apple introduced the Macintosh. Microprocessors also moved out of the realm of desktop computers and into many areas of life as more and more everyday products began to use microprocessors.
Fifth Generation (Present and Beyond) Artificial Intelligence
History of the Internet
Internet History Timeline summary by Eyewebmaster. This information was taken from Quirk an e-commerce expert.
1958 :US ARPA (advanced research projects agency) established to lead science and military technological developments.
1961 :MIT research paper of Packet Switching Theory.
1961-69 : Ongoing research into inter-computer communications and networks.
1969 :ARPANET, commissioned by US Defense Department, goes live. US universities connect up network facilities for the first time.
1971 :Ray Tomlinson creates first network email application.
1973 : Development of protocols to enable multi-network Internet opportunities. First international ARPANET connections made.
1976 :HM Queen Elizabeth II sends an email.
1978 :First spam email is recorded.
1980 :Tim Berners-Lee develops rules for the World Wide Web and is credited as the Web Father. Alan Emtage develops the first search tool known as ‘ARCHIE’.
1982 :Standard network protocols are established: Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) and Internet Protocol (IP), commonly referred to as TCIP/IP.
1984 :Joint Academic Network (JANET) is established, linking higher education institutions. Domain Name System (DNS) is introduced.
1985 :A company named Symbolics becomes the first registered dot.com domain.
1987 :National Science Foundation (US) is the catalyst for the surge in funded work into the Internet. Number of Internet hosts increases significantly in this period.
1988-90 :28 countries sign up to hook up to the NSFNET, reinforcing international Internet potential. 1990 :Senator Al Gore coins the term ‘information superhighway’. 1991 Web Father, Tim Berners-Lee releases World Wide Web (www) with scientists from CERN.
1992 :America Online (AOL) is launched and raises $23m in floatation. The term ‘surfing the net’ is introduced by Jean Armour Polly. The World Bank goes online.
1993 :Mainstream media attention increases awareness of the Internet. First Internet publication. Wired, goes on sale. Mosaic introduces the first web browser with graphical interface and is the forerunner of Netscape Navigator. First online shopping malls and virtual banks emerge as does evidence of spam. First clickable banner advert is sold by Global Network Navigator to a law firm.
1995 :Amazon is launched by Jeff Bezos. Trial dial up systems such as AOL and CompuServe launch. Charging is introduced for domain names. Search technology companies such as Alta Vista, Infoseek, Excite and Metacrawler rapidly appear.
1996 :Yahoo! is launched on the stock exchange and shares are up nearly 300% on first day.
1997 :MP3.com is founded. The term “search engine optimisation” is used for the first time in a forum.
1998 :XML is released to enable compatibility between different computer systems. Google founded by Larry Page and Sergey Brin.
1999 : Peter Merholz coins the word “blog”.
2000 :AOL and Time-Warner announce they are merging. Pay-per-Click campaigns are introduced for top ten search rankings. Google AdWords launches, charging for adverts on a CPM basis.
2002 :UK online monthly consumer shopping breaks through the £1 billion barrier. Google AdWords charges on a PPC basis 2003 eBay topples Amazon as the most visited UK web site.
2004 :CD-WOW loses court case and rights to source cheaper CDs outside EU, undermining the global concept of the Internet.
2005 :Iceland leads the world with broadband penetration: 26.7 inhabitants per 100 have broadband compared with 15.9 per 100 in the UK.
2006 :Google buys YouTube for $1.6 billion. Facebook membership opens to anyone. Technorati notes that a blog is created every second of every day. Time Magazine names “You” as person of the year, due to online activity.
2008 :Firefox 3.0 launches with over 8 million downloads in 24 hours. Internet usage tops 1,407,724,920 worldwide.
Internet worldwide is very important in this modern time because this technology can use to share data and information faster. Mostly it is used in business, communications, and publishing.
1958 :US ARPA (advanced research projects agency) established to lead science and military technological developments.
1961 :MIT research paper of Packet Switching Theory.
1961-69 : Ongoing research into inter-computer communications and networks.
1969 :ARPANET, commissioned by US Defense Department, goes live. US universities connect up network facilities for the first time.
1971 :Ray Tomlinson creates first network email application.
1973 : Development of protocols to enable multi-network Internet opportunities. First international ARPANET connections made.
1976 :HM Queen Elizabeth II sends an email.
1978 :First spam email is recorded.
1980 :Tim Berners-Lee develops rules for the World Wide Web and is credited as the Web Father. Alan Emtage develops the first search tool known as ‘ARCHIE’.
1982 :Standard network protocols are established: Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) and Internet Protocol (IP), commonly referred to as TCIP/IP.
1984 :Joint Academic Network (JANET) is established, linking higher education institutions. Domain Name System (DNS) is introduced.
1985 :A company named Symbolics becomes the first registered dot.com domain.
1987 :National Science Foundation (US) is the catalyst for the surge in funded work into the Internet. Number of Internet hosts increases significantly in this period.
1988-90 :28 countries sign up to hook up to the NSFNET, reinforcing international Internet potential. 1990 :Senator Al Gore coins the term ‘information superhighway’. 1991 Web Father, Tim Berners-Lee releases World Wide Web (www) with scientists from CERN.
1992 :America Online (AOL) is launched and raises $23m in floatation. The term ‘surfing the net’ is introduced by Jean Armour Polly. The World Bank goes online.
1993 :Mainstream media attention increases awareness of the Internet. First Internet publication. Wired, goes on sale. Mosaic introduces the first web browser with graphical interface and is the forerunner of Netscape Navigator. First online shopping malls and virtual banks emerge as does evidence of spam. First clickable banner advert is sold by Global Network Navigator to a law firm.
1995 :Amazon is launched by Jeff Bezos. Trial dial up systems such as AOL and CompuServe launch. Charging is introduced for domain names. Search technology companies such as Alta Vista, Infoseek, Excite and Metacrawler rapidly appear.
1996 :Yahoo! is launched on the stock exchange and shares are up nearly 300% on first day.
1997 :MP3.com is founded. The term “search engine optimisation” is used for the first time in a forum.
1998 :XML is released to enable compatibility between different computer systems. Google founded by Larry Page and Sergey Brin.
1999 : Peter Merholz coins the word “blog”.
2000 :AOL and Time-Warner announce they are merging. Pay-per-Click campaigns are introduced for top ten search rankings. Google AdWords launches, charging for adverts on a CPM basis.
2002 :UK online monthly consumer shopping breaks through the £1 billion barrier. Google AdWords charges on a PPC basis 2003 eBay topples Amazon as the most visited UK web site.
2004 :CD-WOW loses court case and rights to source cheaper CDs outside EU, undermining the global concept of the Internet.
2005 :Iceland leads the world with broadband penetration: 26.7 inhabitants per 100 have broadband compared with 15.9 per 100 in the UK.
2006 :Google buys YouTube for $1.6 billion. Facebook membership opens to anyone. Technorati notes that a blog is created every second of every day. Time Magazine names “You” as person of the year, due to online activity.
2008 :Firefox 3.0 launches with over 8 million downloads in 24 hours. Internet usage tops 1,407,724,920 worldwide.
Internet worldwide is very important in this modern time because this technology can use to share data and information faster. Mostly it is used in business, communications, and publishing.
Internet History Timeline summary by Eyewebmaster. This information was taken from Quirk an e-commerce expert.
1958 :US ARPA (advanced research projects agency) established to lead science and military technological developments.
1961 :MIT research paper of Packet Switching Theory.
1961-69 : Ongoing research into inter-computer communications and networks.
1969 :ARPANET, commissioned by US Defense Department, goes live. US universities connect up network facilities for the first time.
1971 :Ray Tomlinson creates first network email application.
1973 : Development of protocols to enable multi-network Internet opportunities. First international ARPANET connections made.
1976 :HM Queen Elizabeth II sends an email.
1978 :First spam email is recorded.
1980 :Tim Berners-Lee develops rules for the World Wide Web and is credited as the Web Father. Alan Emtage develops the first search tool known as ‘ARCHIE’.
1982 :Standard network protocols are established: Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) and Internet Protocol (IP), commonly referred to as TCIP/IP.
1984 :Joint Academic Network (JANET) is established, linking higher education institutions. Domain Name System (DNS) is introduced.
1985 :A company named Symbolics becomes the first registered dot.com domain.
1987 :National Science Foundation (US) is the catalyst for the surge in funded work into the Internet. Number of Internet hosts increases significantly in this period.
1988-90 :28 countries sign up to hook up to the NSFNET, reinforcing international Internet potential. 1990 :Senator Al Gore coins the term ‘information superhighway’. 1991 Web Father, Tim Berners-Lee releases World Wide Web (www) with scientists from CERN.
1992 :America Online (AOL) is launched and raises $23m in floatation. The term ‘surfing the net’ is introduced by Jean Armour Polly. The World Bank goes online.
1993 :Mainstream media attention increases awareness of the Internet. First Internet publication. Wired, goes on sale. Mosaic introduces the first web browser with graphical interface and is the forerunner of Netscape Navigator. First online shopping malls and virtual banks emerge as does evidence of spam. First clickable banner advert is sold by Global Network Navigator to a law firm.
1995 :Amazon is launched by Jeff Bezos. Trial dial up systems such as AOL and CompuServe launch. Charging is introduced for domain names. Search technology companies such as Alta Vista, Infoseek, Excite and Metacrawler rapidly appear.
1996 :Yahoo! is launched on the stock exchange and shares are up nearly 300% on first day.
1997 :MP3.com is founded. The term “search engine optimisation” is used for the first time in a forum.
1998 :XML is released to enable compatibility between different computer systems. Google founded by Larry Page and Sergey Brin.
1999 : Peter Merholz coins the word “blog”.
2000 :AOL and Time-Warner announce they are merging. Pay-per-Click campaigns are introduced for top ten search rankings. Google AdWords launches, charging for adverts on a CPM basis.
2002 :UK online monthly consumer shopping breaks through the £1 billion barrier. Google AdWords charges on a PPC basis 2003 eBay topples Amazon as the most visited UK web site.
2004 :CD-WOW loses court case and rights to source cheaper CDs outside EU, undermining the global concept of the Internet.
2005 :Iceland leads the world with broadband penetration: 26.7 inhabitants per 100 have broadband compared with 15.9 per 100 in the UK.
2006 :Google buys YouTube for $1.6 billion. Facebook membership opens to anyone. Technorati notes that a blog is created every second of every day. Time Magazine names “You” as person of the year, due to online activity.
2008 :Firefox 3.0 launches with over 8 million downloads in 24 hours. Internet usage tops 1,407,724,920 worldwide.
Internet worldwide is very important in this modern time because this technology can use to share data and information faster. Mostly it is used in business, communications, and publishing.
1958 :US ARPA (advanced research projects agency) established to lead science and military technological developments.
1961 :MIT research paper of Packet Switching Theory.
1961-69 : Ongoing research into inter-computer communications and networks.
1969 :ARPANET, commissioned by US Defense Department, goes live. US universities connect up network facilities for the first time.
1971 :Ray Tomlinson creates first network email application.
1973 : Development of protocols to enable multi-network Internet opportunities. First international ARPANET connections made.
1976 :HM Queen Elizabeth II sends an email.
1978 :First spam email is recorded.
1980 :Tim Berners-Lee develops rules for the World Wide Web and is credited as the Web Father. Alan Emtage develops the first search tool known as ‘ARCHIE’.
1982 :Standard network protocols are established: Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) and Internet Protocol (IP), commonly referred to as TCIP/IP.
1984 :Joint Academic Network (JANET) is established, linking higher education institutions. Domain Name System (DNS) is introduced.
1985 :A company named Symbolics becomes the first registered dot.com domain.
1987 :National Science Foundation (US) is the catalyst for the surge in funded work into the Internet. Number of Internet hosts increases significantly in this period.
1988-90 :28 countries sign up to hook up to the NSFNET, reinforcing international Internet potential. 1990 :Senator Al Gore coins the term ‘information superhighway’. 1991 Web Father, Tim Berners-Lee releases World Wide Web (www) with scientists from CERN.
1992 :America Online (AOL) is launched and raises $23m in floatation. The term ‘surfing the net’ is introduced by Jean Armour Polly. The World Bank goes online.
1993 :Mainstream media attention increases awareness of the Internet. First Internet publication. Wired, goes on sale. Mosaic introduces the first web browser with graphical interface and is the forerunner of Netscape Navigator. First online shopping malls and virtual banks emerge as does evidence of spam. First clickable banner advert is sold by Global Network Navigator to a law firm.
1995 :Amazon is launched by Jeff Bezos. Trial dial up systems such as AOL and CompuServe launch. Charging is introduced for domain names. Search technology companies such as Alta Vista, Infoseek, Excite and Metacrawler rapidly appear.
1996 :Yahoo! is launched on the stock exchange and shares are up nearly 300% on first day.
1997 :MP3.com is founded. The term “search engine optimisation” is used for the first time in a forum.
1998 :XML is released to enable compatibility between different computer systems. Google founded by Larry Page and Sergey Brin.
1999 : Peter Merholz coins the word “blog”.
2000 :AOL and Time-Warner announce they are merging. Pay-per-Click campaigns are introduced for top ten search rankings. Google AdWords launches, charging for adverts on a CPM basis.
2002 :UK online monthly consumer shopping breaks through the £1 billion barrier. Google AdWords charges on a PPC basis 2003 eBay topples Amazon as the most visited UK web site.
2004 :CD-WOW loses court case and rights to source cheaper CDs outside EU, undermining the global concept of the Internet.
2005 :Iceland leads the world with broadband penetration: 26.7 inhabitants per 100 have broadband compared with 15.9 per 100 in the UK.
2006 :Google buys YouTube for $1.6 billion. Facebook membership opens to anyone. Technorati notes that a blog is created every second of every day. Time Magazine names “You” as person of the year, due to online activity.
2008 :Firefox 3.0 launches with over 8 million downloads in 24 hours. Internet usage tops 1,407,724,920 worldwide.
Internet worldwide is very important in this modern time because this technology can use to share data and information faster. Mostly it is used in business, communications, and publishing.
