| Uninformed researchers of computer history would | | | | the time. |
| probably note the first computer in the mid 1930's. In | | | | In 1947, the first modern programmable computers |
| reality, this history dates nearly 2000 years ago with | | | | were designed. They contained RAM (Random |
| the invention of the abacus where the user | | | | Access Memory) and made it possible to access |
| programmed beads using formulated constructs. | | | | information in seconds. This technology continued to be |
| Although many historians caution against the use of | | | | tested and improved into the 1950's when magnetic |
| the word computer except to define 20th century | | | | core memory and a transistor circuit element were |
| computers, a broader understanding illuminates an | | | | discovered. These increased the memory capacity |
| instrument designed by a Frenchman and which | | | | and functionality of the computers. On the down side |
| functioned as a calculator and was designed for a tax | | | | the cost to operate these machines was astronomical. |
| collector in the 1600's. Improvements to this calculator | | | | By nearly sheer determination alone, these devices |
| continued through the 19th century. | | | | evolved into amazing machines able to work with a |
| Similar work was underway in England and with the | | | | number of programs simultaneously while giving the |
| support of the government a mechanical calculator | | | | impression that only one program was in use. |
| was invented. It was powered by steam and | | | | As recently as the 1960's computers were more |
| supported a fixed program for its use. This calculator | | | | available and the price had become nearly reasonable |
| went through many changes until an automatic | | | | for businesses. Their use however, was confined |
| calculator was invented. Following this flurry of | | | | mostly to mathematically based operations such as |
| discovery and invention, little changed until the early | | | | billing, accounting, and payroll. One of the major |
| 1900`s when detailed mechanical and transportation | | | | purchasers of these devices was hospitals which |
| work required complex mathematical calculations | | | | stored date from patients, inventory, billing, treatments, |
| (especially calculus). | | | | and the like. |
| Two Census Bureau workers began to look for a | | | | By the 1980's smaller individual computers were being |
| means of accurately calculating information. They | | | | produced. Technology continued to astound the |
| conceived the idea of a punch card which would be | | | | general public as the microchip came into existence |
| inserted into the computer, read, and stored. The | | | | permitting personal computers to be sold with |
| greatest advantage of these still slow moving | | | | accompanying program disks for downloading. A |
| machines was the ability to store large amounts of | | | | glance around most medium to large companies would |
| information with ease and accuracy. | | | | reveal many desk top computers in use. |
| The early 1940's and the imminent World War, brought | | | | It would be impossible to track the history of |
| the military into the computer era. New weapons | | | | computers without acknowledging Apple Computer |
| requiring computer technology for effectiveness, were | | | | and IBM for their leading edge and evolving technology. |
| needed, designed and produced. These were large | | | | Radio Shack coupled with Apple Computer |
| floor model machines and utilized the floor space of an | | | | (computador) produced video games for the computer |
| average one family home (about 2,000 square feet). | | | | (a move from the arcade). |
| One independent computer (computador) was not | | | | The ability for businesses and individuals to access the |
| adequate and a means was found to link computers | | | | worldwide web gave birth to new and innovative |
| which produced a more accurate and clear channel of | | | | marketing and communication with inquirers and/or |
| information. These devices were not only | | | | clients. Today it is inconceivable that one attempt to |
| cumbersome but they required rewiring and | | | | research something on line and not find multiple |
| rechanneling for each program. Greater inventions | | | | references there. The momentum has only continued |
| were in progress. These new computers | | | | to mount and new upgrades are available nearly by |
| (computador) would be equipped with memory | | | | the day. |
| capacity and worker faster than any in existence at | | | | |