C OMPUTE

R ORIGIN AND EVOLUTION

The word “computer” is derived from the word
compute. Computer literally means a machine
which does calculation or computation. But its
literal meaning is insufficient to describe the
actual meaning of computer. Basically, the
computer is a device that stores, processes and
retrieves (extracts) information in a very short
time. Today, it is used in every sphere of human
activity.

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History
About 5000 years ago Greek invented a calculating
machine called Abacus. This was regarded as the first
digital computer. Later, in 1614; the Logarithm table
was invented by John Napier. In 1642, a French
scientist, Blade Pascal invented a device for additions.
This was improved by Godfrey Libnittis, who was the
inventor of the multiplication device in 1673.

Both these devices were not foolproof at there

performance. Thus later in 1820, another scientist named Mr.
Charles Thomas, developed prototype of today’s calculator
with improved facilities. In 1822, Charles Babage, a British
scientist, who was the professor of mathematics, designed a
“difference engine” for the Royal Society, which was meant
for addition and multiplication. Since, its performance could

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not overcome the Charles Babage expectations, he
developed a more efficient machine which also had the
facilities to do addition and multiplication, called “analytical
engine”. Charles Babage is considered as the “father of
modern computer” for his harsh effort and work which lead
to the evolution of computers. By 1920, machines that
worked on electricity came into being and it greatly
increased the speed and efficiency.

The 1970s could be called as the era of the minicomputer.

These were progressively smaller and cheaper machines than
the standard mainframe era computers. The standard
mainframe of the 1970s shrunk from a room full of cabinets
and tape drives to a decorative office machine perhaps 3 to 5
feet long and 3 to 4 feet high.

In 1980, Apple realized the Apple II computer, the first

true commercial PC. It was a small desktop machine that

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runs BASIC. This machine had a major impact on the
educational market.

In 1981, all of this changed. The PC was released by IBM,

and Lotus developed 1-2-3 based on the Visi-Calc
spreadsheet program. This program became the first of the
Killer Applications (killer apps) that industry had to run. The
PC became an overnight success.

COMPUTER GENERATIONS
Based on the increasing technology of the computers, it can
be divided into five generations:

• FIRST GENERATION COMPUTER

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 Computers of the first generation were based on the
vacuum tube technology, as shown in figure (a). In 1822,
Charles Babbage, a professor of mathematics at
Cambridge University, devised a machine called the
“Difference machine” meant to perform simple
computations needed for setting up trigonometric and
logarithmic tables. Hence, he was known as the “Father of
modern day computers”. After the World War II, there was
in need of advanced calculator for calculation. By that
time, many mechanical desk calculators were introduced.
In 1946, the University of Pensylvania introduced the
world’s first electronic computer ENIAC (Electronic
Numerical Integrator and Calculating Machine). The ENIAC
performed 5000 addition per second, consumed 150
kilowatts of power. Although, it had many other limitations
as such. It was so huge and generated so much heat that
it needed to be water cooled. Its weight was 30 tonnes
(approx.) and there were about 18,000 electronic valves.

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ENIAC was followed by EDSAC (Electronic Delay Storage
Automatic Computer) in 1950 and UNIVAC (Universal
Accounting Computer) in 1951.

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Fig (a): Vacuum Tube

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 In general, the first computer generation computer
faced the following limitations:

1.Low operating speed.

2.Restricted computing capacity.
3.High power consumption.
4.Short life span.
5.Large space requirement.
6.Generate much heat that needed to be water cooled.

• SECOND GENERATION COMPUTERS

In the year 1950-51, the vacuum tubes were replaced

by transistors. This decreased the size and increased the
efficiency manifold (many & varied). If the computer in first

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generation could perform about 500 tasks per second, then
the second generation computers could be able to perform
around 5 lakh tasks. The use of computer increased from 1st
generation to 2nd generation.

Fig (b): Transistor

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• THIRD GENERATION COMPUTERS

Third generation computers were introduced in the

early 60’s. The basic distinguishing characters of the 3rd
generation computers from the other generation
computers were the introduction to the IC’s (Integrated
circuits). It is an arrangement where micro sized crystals
are connected on a surface using tiny metal strings. In
IC’s several logical gates are fabricated on a single piece
of silicon. Size of the computers was further reduced,
computing power increased, cost reduced. In this
generation SSI (Small scale integrated) to MSI (Medium
scale integrator) then to LSI (Large scale integrator). IC
helped in making the computer much & more compact
and increased the storage capacity. Using various

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terminals, more than one person was able to work on the
same computers simultaneously. IBM360 series and
IBM370/168 belonged to the third generation computers.

Fig (c): Integrated Circuit (IC)

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• FOURTH GENERATION COMPUTERS

By the end of 1970, 4th generation computers

emerged with a lot of revolutionary innovations.
VLSI technology of IC’s made it possible to make
complete circuit of ALU (Arithmetic and Logic Unit)
and CU (Control unit) within a single chip which
comprise of the main part of computer called CPU
(Central Processing Unit). Silicon chips were
introduced as microprocessors in the fourth
generation computers. Circuit space got reduced as
a result & it could finally be kept on a table top.
Compared to the other generation computers, the
size and prize were brought down remarkably in the

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fourth generation. This increased the popularity and
accessibility of computers among the general public.
It came to be increasingly employed for accessing
knowledge and entertainment. Apple series one &
two, Intel 4004 etc, belong to this generation.

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Fig (d): Basic Block Diagram of a
Computer System

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• FIFTH GENERATION COMPUTERS

The computers being developed presently

belong to the fifth generation. The most significant
aspect of this generation of computers is expected
to be the “artificial intelligence”. The chips used in
these computers are “Very Large Scale Integrated”
circuit (VLSI) with high power & efficiency. Besides
VLSI there is LSI, ULSI types of chips which are also
being used in fifth generation computers.

Japanese and Americans are working on it.

The fifth generation computers might well have the
ability to recognize voice, read written matter and
possibly, think on its own.

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