Computer Technology History

The affects of technology

on our society.

After completing this lesson, you will know: The history of computers from the 1940s up

to the present. The future of computing. The many ways in which computers are used

in modern life. How to make computers accessible to

persons with disabilities. How computers are used in business and

education.

Atanasoff-Berry Computer 1939

In late 1939, John Atanasoff teamed up with Clifford Berry to build a prototype. They created the first computing machine to use electricity, vacuum tubes, binary numbers and capacitors. The capacitors were in a rotating drum that held the electrical charge for the memory. 

History of Computing1940s

First computers built for breaking enemy codes in WWII

ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator And Computer) first all-electronic computer

MARK series - 1944

Howard Aiken and Grace Hopper designed the MARK series of computers at Harvard University. The MARK series of computers began with the Mark I in 1944. Imagine a giant roomful of noisy, clicking metal parts, 55 feet long and 8 feet high. The 5-ton device contained almost 760,000 separate pieces. Used by the US Navy for gunnery and ballistic calculations, the Mark I was in operation until 1959.

Vacuum Tube The vacuum tube was

used to amplify voice and music. However, the tubes consumed power, created heat, burned out quickly, and required high maintenance.

“Debugging” In the 1940s, computers

were housed in buildings with no air conditioning. In the evening the researchers would leave the windows open to cool down the building and computers.

“Debugging” The moths were attacked

to the heat and lights and would get into the computers. It was common practice to get the bugs out of the computers every evening. This is how the phrase “debugging” came into being in the computer world.

History of Computing

1950s Invention of the transistor,

resistor and the Integrated Circuit

IBM 650 & 7000 series

World’s Most Powerful Computer in 1954

Faith Lillibridge at the NORC console: fifth floor, Columbia University Watson Lab, 612 West 115th Street NYC,

Transistors The transistors were

the first device designed to act both as a: Transmitter:

converting sound waves to electronic waves

Resistor: controlling electric current

Integrated Circuit 1958 – 1959

Integrated Circuit or Silicon Chip was invented by two separate inventors.

A single chip could contain the electronic circuitry of the entire computer.

                              

1950s Key milestones in 1953

First released in 1953 with magnetic drum memory and priced at less than half a million dollars, the 650 was relatively cheap.

History of Computing

1960s DEC´s PDP-1 The IBM 1130 Hewlett-Packard entered the general

purpose computer business

DEC´s PDP-1 The precursor to the

minicomputer, DEC´s PDP-1 sold 50 for $120,000. It´s large scope intrigued early hackers at MIT, who wrote the first computerized video game, SpaceWar!

First mini-computers from DEC and IBM

                              

The IBM 1130 (1965): The first IBM

computer to rent for less than $1000 a month." Intended for use by scientists, engineers, and mathematicians.

History of Computing

1970s Xerox Alto first Graphical User Interface (GUI) computer (1975) MITS Altair first personal computer (1975) Tandy/Radio Shack personal computer (1975) Wozniak and Jobs design Apple I and II 1977 was the first hacker break in into a Columbia

computer from the outside, and it went to court 1977-1978 First use of email at universities on a

bulletin board system.

Xerox Palo - the first work station with a built-in mouse 1973

Researchers at the Xerox Palo Alto Research Center designed the Alto — the first work station with a built-in mouse for input. The Alto stored several files simultaneously in windows, offered menus and icons, and could link to a local area network. Although Xerox never sold the Alto commercially, it gave a number of them to universities. Engineers later incorporated its features into work stations and personal computers.

                              

Commodore PET The Commodore PET

(Personal Electronic Transactor or maybe rumored to be named after the "pet rock" fad) was designed by Chuck Peddle. It was first presented at the January, 1977, Winter Consumer Electronics Show and later at the West

History of Computing

1980s

IBM (1981) and DOS

MAC (1984)

“Portable” computers debut

IBM - 1980

In July of 1980, IBM representatives met for the first time with Microsoft's Bill Gates to talk about writing an operating for IBM's new hush-hush "personal" computer

1984 – Macintosh 128k Released with much

fanfare in January of 1984, the Macintosh was the first affordable computer to include a Graphical User Interface.

History of Computing1990s Personal computers improve

dramatically

Microsoft Windows 3.0 (1990)

Internet and World Wide Web

History of Computing2000s High-speed Internet access Instant messaging Tablet PC E-commerce Security: viruses, worms, hacks,

identity theft

Computers of today are not only more compact, but efficient.

Computer AccessoriesPrinters today

can print, copy, scan and fax, as well as print directly from your digital camera.

Accessible Technology Accessibility features:

An operating system and software with features that can be adjusted and customized to your own accessibility needs.

Assistive technology products:Designed to accommodate an individual’s disability or multiple disabilities.

Compatibility:An operating system and software compatible with a specific type of assistive technology product.

Computer Technology and more…35 mm to Digital

Motion picture cameras have made way for the video camera

Land Line Telephones to Cell Phones

Manual Cash Registers advances to computer technology

                                                                        

With the continuing changes in technology, the tools we use for work, home and play will also change. These changes

will impact businesses, employment and educational

opportunities in our lives today and into the future.

Information Technology Careers

Hardware EngineerSupport Professional

Developer/ProgrammerSoftware Tester

Systems AdministratorDatabase AdministratorCertified Professional

Computers in Education

Language ArtsReadingWritingArtMusic

Math and Science

•Math

•Biology

•Chemistry

•Ecology

•Geology