Computer History
Charles Babbage is known as the “Father of Computer”. Difference Engine and Analytical
Engine invented by Charles Babbage.
Augusta Ada Lovelace student of Charles Babbage is the “First Computer Programmer”.
Worlds First Calculator was Abacus, Babylon China
Worlds First Mechanical Calculator “Pascaline” was invented by Blaize Pascal in 1642. Also
known as Adding Machine, Interlocking Gear were used. Decimal Based. It just Add and
Subtracts.
Multiplier Wheel improved version of Pascaline invented by Gottfried Leibnitz in 1673. Also
known as the Step Reckoner. Gottfried Leibnitz also invented Binary Number System. It can
add, subtract, multiply and divide.
Napier’s Bones invented by Scottish Mathematician John Napier in 1617. It was an early
manually operated calculating device used for performing multiplication, division and
extracting square roots. It helped simplify complex calculations by breaking them down into
easier steps using a set of numbered roads or “bones”. Napier’s Bones were primarily used
for simplify the multiplication process by turning it into a series of additions. The device
consisted of a set of rectangular rods or bones, with each rods containing a multiplication
table for a specific digit (1 to 9).
Punched Cards was invented by Herman Hollerith in 1887. It was an Input Device.
Slider Rule was invented by William Oughtred an English Mathematician. Two Rules were
used for calculations.
Tabulating Machine was invented by Herman Hollerith. It uses Punched Card as input.
Worlds first Electro-Mechanical Calculator.
Computer’s Generations
1st Generation (1946 – 1959): - Vacuum Tubes were used. Big in size, consumes more power
and very high operating cost. Example: ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator and
Computer), UNIVAC - 1 (Universal Automatic Computer - 1), EDVAC (Electronic Discrete
Variable Automatic Computer), Mark I, Mark II etc. ENIAC and UNIVAC - 1 were invented by
J. Presper Eckert and John M. Mauchly. Machine Language or Binary Language were used.
2nd Generation (1960 – 1965): - Transistors were used. Transistors were invented by William
Shockley. Smaller in size, less power consumption, and low cost compared to 1st generation.
Assembly Language was used. Example: IBM 1000, IBM 1620, IBM 1404, UNIVAC 3.
3rd Generation (1966 – 1971): - Integrated Circuit were used. IC (Integrated Circuit) was
invented by Jack Kilby. Smaller in size, less power consumption, and low cost compared to
2nd generation. Programming Languages like Fortran (Formula Translation), COBOL
(Common Business Oriented Language) First business use Language, ALGOL (Algorithmic
Logic). First time RAM was introduced. Hardware and Software were separated from here.
4th Generation (1972 – 1980): - Microprocessor were used. Microprocessor were invented
by Ted Hoff. Very low operating cost, smaller in size, less power consumptions compared to
3rd generation. First Microprocessor was “Intel 4004”. Programming Languages like Java
(James Gosling), C (Dennis Ritchie), C++ (Bjarne Stroustrup), Python (Guido Van Rossum),
JavaScript (Branden Eich). Super Computers were introduced. First Super Computer was
Cray invented by Seymour Cray. GUI (Graphical User Interface) was introduced. Example
IBM PC, Apple II, CRAY (Super Computer) etc.
5th Generation (1981 – Present): - Artificial Intelligence is used. Fastest, low cost, smaller
size and less power consumption compared to previous generations.
The Basic Architecture of Computer was developed by Mathematician Jon Von Neumann.
CPU
Control Unit
Input Device Arithmetic and Logical Output Device
Unit
Memory Unit
Basic Computer Architecture
World’s Fastest Super Computer is Frontier, Oak Ridge Leadership Computing Facility
(OLCF), in Tennessee, USA.
India’s First Computer was Siddharth.
India’s First Super Computer was Param 8000.
India’s Fastest Super Computer is AIRAWAT in June 2023 it was Ranked 75 in Top 500 Super
Computers in the World. Located in Netweb Technology, C – DAC (Centre of Development
for Advanced Computing), Pune. Operation System Ubuntu.
BARC (Bhabha Atomic Research Centre): - Anupam Super Computer.
Vijay Bhatkar is known as the “Father of Super Computer in India”
Super Computer’s Speed is measured in FLOPS (Floating Point Operation Per Second)
Types of Computers
1. Based on Size and Performance: -
A. Super Computers: - The fastest and most powerful computers used for high-performance
tasks like weather forecasting, scientific simulations, and cryptography. Example: - PARAM
(INDIA), Summit (USA).
B. Mainframe Computers: - Large and expensive systems used for bulk data processing in
enterprises, banks, and government organizations. Example: - IBM zSeries.
C. Minicomputers (Mid – Range Computer): - Smaller than Mainframe but capable of
supporting multiple users simultaneously. Example: - PDP – 8, AS/400.
D. Microcomputers (Personal Computers): - The most common and affordable computers
for individual use. Example: - Dell Inspiration, MacBook.
E. Workstations: - High performance microcomputers used for technical or scientific
applications. Example: - HP Z Workstations.
F. Servers: - Computers designed for providing services like hosting websites, managing
networks, or storing data for multiple clients. Example: - Rack Servers, Cloud Servers.
G. Embedded Computers: - Computers embedded into devices to perform specific tasks.
Example: - in washing machine, ATMs, and cars.
2. Based on Functionality: -
A. Analog Computers: - Computers that work with continuous data and are used for tasks
like measuring temperature, speed, or pressure. Example: - Speedometer, Analog Clock.
B. Digital Computers: - Computers that process data in binary (0s and 1s). Most modern
computers are digital. Example: - PCs, Laptops.
C. Hybrid Computers: - A combination of analog and digital computers, used in specialized
fields like hospitals or research tasks. Example: - ECG (Electrocardiograph) machines.
