HISTORY OF COMPUTER

Introduction

Computer as defined by Cambridge advanced learners dictionary is an electronic device for processing information and performing calculations; follows a program to perform sequences of mathematical and logical operations. It is also an electronic machine which is used for storing, organizing and finding words, numbers and pictures, for doing calculations and for controlling other machines.

Computer dated back to the first human computer who engaged in mathematical expression for various purposes. The use of fingers was commonly used for counting before the tally stick was introduced.

A  COMPUTER HISTORY

 The history of computer began long before the modern discipline of computer science. The progression from mechanical inventions and mathematical theories towards the modern computer concept and machines formed a major field and the basis of a massive worldwide industry.

The earliest known tool for use in computation was the Abacus, developed in period 2700-2300BCE in Sumer. The Sumerians Abacus consisted of a table of successive columns which delimited the successive orders of magnitude of their sexagesimal number system. Its original style of usage was by lines drawn in sand with pebbles. Abaci of a more modern design are still used as calculations tools today.

The Antikytera mechanism is believed to be the earliest known mechanical analogue computer. It was designed to calculate astronomical positions. It was discovered in 1901 in the Antikythera wreck off the greek island of Antikythera, between Kythera and Crete, and has been dated to c.100BCE. technological artifacts of similar complexity did not reappear until the 14^th century when mechanical astronomical clocks appeared in Europe.

  When John Napier discovered logarithms for computational purposes with the early 17^th century, there followed a period of considerable progress by inventors and scientists in making calculating tools. In 1623 Wilhelm Schickard designed a calculating machine but abandoned the project, when the prototype he had started building was destroyed by a fire in 1624. Around 1640, Blaise Paschal, a leading French mathematician, constructed a mechanical adding device based on a design described by Greek mathematician Hero of Alexandria. Then in 1672 Gottfried Wilhelm Leibnitz invented the stepped Reckoner which he completed in 1694.

    The computer as we know it today had its beginning with a 19th century English mathematics professor name Charles Babbage. He designed the Analytical Engine and it was this design that the basic framework of the computers of today are based on. Generally speaking, computers can be classified into three generations. Each generation lasted for a certain period of time, and each gave us either a new and improved computer or an improvement to the existing computer. First generation: 1937 – 1946 - In 1937 the first electronic digital computer was built by Dr. John V. Atanasoff and Clifford Berry. It was called the Atanasoff-Berry Computer (ABC). In 1943 an electronic computer name the Colossus was built for the military. Other developments continued until in 1946 the first general– purpose digital computer, the Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer (ENIAC) was built. It is said that this computer weighed 30 tons, and had 18,000 vacuum tubes which was used for processing. When this computer was turned on for the first time lights dim in sections of Philadelphia. Computers of this generation could only perform single task, and they had no operating system. Second generation: 1947 – 1962 – This generation of computers used transistors instead of vacuum tubes which were more reliable. In 1951 the first computer for commercial use was introduced to the public; the Universal Automatic Computer (UNIVAC 1). In 1953 the International Business Machine88 (IBM) 650 and 700 series computers made their mark in the computer world. During this generation of computers over 100 computer programming languages were developed, computers had memory and operating systems. Storage media such as tape and disk were in use also were printers for output. Third generation: 1963 - present – The invention of integrated circuit brought us the third generation of computers. With this invention computers became smaller, more powerful more reliable and they are able to run many different programs at the same time. In1980 Microsoft Disk Operating System (MS-Dos) was born and in 1981 IBM introduced the personal computer (PC) for home and office use. Three years later Apple gave us the Macintosh computer with its icon driven interface and the 90s gave us Windows operating system. As a result of the various improvements to the development of the computer we have seen the computer being used in all areas of life. It is a very useful tool that will continue to experience new development as time passes.

Conclusion

       Generally speaking, we can see that computer has evolved from three generations. Each generation lasted for a certain period of time, and each gave us either a new and improved computer or an improvement to the existing computer. The computer has made things easier for humans especially in calculations and documentations.