The Evolution of Technology - The History of Computers

While computers are now an important part of thethem today cannot function.Gaming, Mice, & the
lives of human beings, there was a time whereInternetFor many computer users now, games are a
computers did not exist. Knowing the history ofvital part of the computing experience. 1962 saw the
computers and how much progression has beencreation of the first computer game, which was
made can help you understand just how complicatedcreated by Steve Russel and MIT, which was dubbed
and innovative the creation of computers really is.UnlikeSpacewar.The mouse, one of the most basic
most devices, the computer is one of the fewcomponents of modern computers, was created in
inventions that does not have one specific inventor.1964 by Douglass Engelbart. It obtained its name from
Throughout the development of the computer, manythe "tail" leading out of the device.One of the most
people have added their creations to the list requiredimportant aspects of computers today was invented
to make a computer work. Some of the inventionsin 1969. ARPA net was the original Internet, which
have been different types of computers, and some ofprovided the foundation for the Internet that we know
them were parts required to allow computers to betoday. This development would result in the evolution
developed further.The BeginningPerhaps the mostof knowledge and business across the entire planet.It
significant date in the history of computers is the yearwasn't until 1970 that Intel entered the scene with the
1936. It was in this year that the first "computer" wasfirst dynamic RAM chip, which resulted in an explosion
developed. It was created by Konrad Zuse andof computer science innovation.On the heels of the
dubbed the Z1 Computer. This computer stands as theRAM chip was the first microprocessor, which was
first as it was the first system to be fullyalso designed by Intel. These two components, in
programmable. There were devices prior to this, butaddition to the chip developed in 1958, would number
none had the computing power that sets it apart fromamong the core components of modern computers.A
other electronics.It wasn't until 1942 that any businessyear later, the floppy disk was created, gaining its
saw profit and opportunity in computers. This firstname from the flexibility of the storage unit. This was
company was called ABC computers, owned andthe first step in allowing most people to transfer bits of
operated by John Atanasoff and Clifford Berry. Twodata between unconnected computers.The first
years later, the Harvard Mark I computer wasnetworking card was created in 1973, allowing data
developed, furthering the science of computing.Overtransfer between connected computers. This is similar
the course of the next few years, inventors all overto the Internet, but allows for the computers to
the world began to search more into the study ofconnect without use of the Internet.Household PC's
computers, and how to improve upon them. ThoseEmergeThe next three years were very important for
next ten years say the introduction of the transistor,computers. This is when companies began to develop
which would become a vital part of the inner workingssystems for the average consumer. The Scelbi,
of the computer, the ENIAC 1 computer, as well asMark-8 Altair, IBM 5100, Apple I and II, TRS-80, and the
many other types of systems. The ENIAC 1 is perhapsCommodore Pet computers were the forerunners in
one of the most interesting, as it required 20,000this area. While expensive, these machines started the
vacuum tubes to operate. It was a massive machine,trend for computers within common households.One of
and started the revolution to build smaller and fasterthe most major breathroughs in computer software
computers.The age of computers was forever alteredoccurred in 1978 with the release of the VisiCalc
by the introduction of International Business Machines,Spreadsheet program. All development costs were
or IBM, into the computing industry in 1953. Thispaid for within a two week period of time, which
company, over the course of computer history, hasmakes this one of the most successful programs in
been a major player in the development of newcomputer history.1979 was perhaps one of the most
systems and servers for public and private use. Thisimportant years for the home computer user. This is
introduction brought about the first real signs ofthe year that WordStar, the first word processing
competition within computing history, which helped toprogram, was released to the public for sale. This
spur faster and better development of computers.drastically altered the usefulness of computers for the
Their first contribution was the IBM 701 EDPMeveryday user.The IBM Home computer quickly helped
Computer.A Programming Language EvolvesA yearrevolutionize the consumer market in 1981, as it was
later, the first successful high level programmingaffordable for home owners and standard consumers.
language was created. This was a programming1981 also saw the the mega-giant Microsoft enter the
language not written in 'assembly' or binary, which arescene with the MS-DOS operating system. This
considered very low level languages. FORTRAN wasoperating system utterly changed computing forever,
written so that more people could begin to programas it was easy enough for everyone to learn.The
computers easily.The year 1955, the Bank of America,Competition Begins : Apple vs. MicrosoftComputers
coupled with Stanford Research Institute and Generalsaw yet another vital change during the year of 1983.
Electric, saw the creation of the first computers forThe Apple Lisa computer was the first with a graphical
use in banks. The MICR, or Magnetic Ink Characteruser interface, or a GUI. Most modern programs
Recognition, coupled with the actual computer, thecontain a GUI, which allows them to be easy to use
ERMA, was a breakthrough for the banking industry. Itand pleasing for the eyes. This marked the beginning
wasn't until 1959 that the pair of systems were put intoof the out dating of most text based only
use in actual banks.During 1958, one of the mostprograms.Beyond this point in computer history, many
important breakthroughs in computer history occurred,changes and alterations have occurred, from the
the creation of the integrated circuit. This device, alsoApple-Microsoft wars, to the developing of
known as the chip, is one of the base requirements formicrocomputers and a variety of computer
modern computer systems. On every motherboardbreakthroughs that have become an accepted part of
and card within a computer system, are many chipsour daily lives. Without the initial first steps of computer
that contain information on what the boards and cardshistory, none of this would have been possible.
do. Without these chips, the systems as we know