EVOLUTION

OF
COMPUTER
 Warm Up

“Computer is a familiar word

for you today. But have you ever “It is not a question which
thought ‘Who invented the can have a simple answer.”
computer?’”

“No particular person can be

“It has taken many years and credited with the invention of
labour of a number of minds.” computers, but several names
stand out in the crowd.”
 “You must have seen people using computers to do
calculations.”

“But before computers were invented, there were other

Early calculating devices that were used.”

Calculating “Since ancient times, people used stones, fingers and bones

Devices for calculations.”

“However, these methods could not be used to count large

numbers or to perform mathematical operations such as
addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.”

“Over the years, several devices were invented that were

capable of performing mathematical operations.”
Abacus – First Calculating
Device
• “The first step towards computing was the
invention of ABACUS around 3000 years ago, in
China.”
• “It is a wooden frame with beads on parallel wires
which can do simple calculations like addition
and subtraction.”
• “This device is used to calculate numbers at a
fast speed.”
• “It is still used in the countries like Japan and
China.”
• Let’s Know More: “The abacus is also used in
pre-schools as an aid in teaching the numeral
system.”
• “The word Computer was used in the year 1613,
in the book The Young Man’s Gleanings by an
English writer named Richard Braithwait.”
Napier’s Bones
• “John Napier was a Scottish
mathematician who
popularized the use of the
decimal point in mathematics.”
• “He invented a calculating
machine made of a set of rods
carved from bones in the
sixteenth century.”
• “These rods were used to do
multiplication.”
• “This machine was known as
the Napier’s Bones.”
 Pascal Adding Machine
• “In 1642, a French
mathematician named Blaise
Pascal invented the calculating
machine called the Pascaline
consisting of toothed wheels
connected to gears.”
• “Each wheel had ten teeth
representing numbers from 0 to
9.”
• “This device is believed to be the
world’s first mechanical
calculator.”
• “This machine was capable of
performing only addition and
subtraction.”
Leibniz Step Reckoner

“In 1672, a German

Mathematician Gottfried Wilhelm
Leibniz invented the digital
mechanical calculator, called Step
Reckoner.”
“It was the first calculator that
could perform all four arithmetic
operations, i.e., addition,
subtraction, multiplication and
division.”
Charles Babbage’s Analytical
Engine
• “In 1822, a mathematics professor of Cambridge
University, England, Charles Babbage developed
a machine known as Difference Engine.”
• “In 1833, he designed another machine called
Analytical Engine.”
• “It had five key features, i.e., input device, storage
unit, processor, control unit and an output
device.”
• “All these five features are found in today’s
modern computers.”
• “Therefore, Charles Babbage is also known as the
‘Father of Computer’.”
• Let’s Know More: “Analytical Engine ran on
steam because electricity was not available those
days.”
Lady Ada Lovelace

“The instructions given to

“Since she was the first to
Babbage’s Analytical Engine
introduce the concept of
were in the form of 0’s and
programming, she is known
1’s, and the first person to
as the first computer
introduce this concept was
programmer in history.”
Lady Ada Lovelace.”
 Herman Hollerith’s Tabulating Machine

• “The tabulating machine was invented by

Herman Hollerith.”
• “It was developed to process data for the 1890
United States Census.”
• “It was used to assist in counting and recording
the given information in lesser time.”
• “The input was fed into the tabulating machine
in the form of punched cards.”
• “The machine could count the number of holes
in each card and record the information.”
• “In 1896, Hollerith formed a Computing
Tabulating Recording Company.”
• “In 1924, his company became a part of
International Business Machines Corporation,
today known as IBM.”
Computer
Generations

“The present computer

took its shape in five
generations.”
• “The first modern computer was made in 1939, by Konrad
Zuse, who was a German scientist.” First Generation
• “It was called as Z2.” of Computers
• “The main technology used was vacuum tubes.”
• “They were very large in size, had small internal storage
(1944–1959)
and were very expensive.”
• “The operating speed was very slow.”
• “Some examples of first generation computers are – Mark
I, ENIAC, EDVAC, UNIVAC I.”
Limitations
• “Operating speed was quite slow.”
• “Very high power consumption.”
• “Large space needed.”
• “Limited programmability.”
Second Generation of
Computers (1959–1964)
Key Features:
• Used transistors instead of vacuum tubes.
• Main electronic components were transistors.
• Smaller, faster, cheaper, and more efficient than first generation.
• Included modern components: printer, disk storage, OS, etc.
• Programming languages like COBOL and FORTRAN came into
use.
• Examples: IBM 1401, RCA 501.
Limitations:
• Produced a lot of heat.
• Speed was still slow.
• Less memory compared to future generations.
Third Generation of Computers (1964–1970)
Key Features:
• Used Integrated Circuits (ICs) (called chips).
• Smaller in size than second generation.
• Enhanced storage capacity and speed.
• Could run multiple programs at the same time
(multiprogramming).
• Examples: IBM-360, IBM-370.
Limitations:
• Required air conditioning.
• Sophisticated tech needed for IC manufacturing.
 Key Features:
• Used microprocessors (VLSI circuits).
Fourth Generation • All CPU components on a single chip.
of Computers • More efficient and compact.
• Higher computing power and storage.
(1971–Present) • Used cheaper storage devices.
• Could be networked for sharing resources.
• Examples: IBM PC, Apple Macintosh, laptops,
palmtops.
Limitations:
• Faster but smaller computers.
• Still lacked the ability to think.
• Fact to Know:
• Intel 4004 was the first commercial
microprocessor (1971).
• Andre Truong Trong Thi created the first personal
computer using Intel 8008 (1973).
Fifth Generation of Computers (Present and
Beyond)
Key Features:
• Known as supercomputers.
• High storage capacity, high speed, performs
sophisticated tasks.
• Uses Artificial Intelligence (AI) to mimic human
thinking.
Characteristics of Limitations of Modern-
Modern-Day Computers Day Computers
• Speed – Performs complex • They lack the ability to make
calculations at very high speed. decisions.
• Accuracy – Highly accurate results if • They need to be instructed at
correct data and instructions are
entered. each step.
• In unexpected situations,
• High Storage – Stores large amounts
of data in small space. they may produce incorrect
• Diligence – Does not suffer from results or fail to complete the
boredom or fatigue. task.
• Versatility – Can perform a variety of
tasks using data types like text,
images, audio, and video.
 Types of Computers
1. Super Computers
• Most powerful and high-speed
computers.
• Used in complex fields: astronomy,
automobile designing, space
exploration, weather forecasting.
• Example: CRAY-1 (first
supercomputer).
• Indian examples: PARAM and
ANURAG.
Types of Computers

2. Mainframe Computers
• Huge storage and high-
speed processing.
• Used in banks, industries,
and research centers.
• Example: IBM-570.
Types of Computers
3. Mini Computers
• Less advanced than
mainframes.
• Cheaper with lower speed
and storage.
• Mostly used as network
servers.
• Examples: PDP-8 and VAX.
Types of Computers
4. Micro Computers
• Small in size and cost-
effective.
• Designed for personal use
(also called Personal
Computers).
• Used in homes, schools,
offices, shops, banks.
Different Types of Micro Computers
• Desktop Computers
• Fit on desks.
• Include monitor, CPU, keyboard, mouse (connected as
one unit).
• Laptop Computers
• Small, portable, and battery operated.
• Can perform all tasks of a desktop.
• Screen folds over the keyboard.
• Tablet Computers
• Smaller and lighter than laptops.
• Touch-sensitive screen instead of keyboard and mouse.
• Used for reading e-books, watching videos, browsing, etc.
 • Abacus was the first calculating device used for
counting.
• Charles Babbage is known as the ‘Father of
Computers’.
Let’s Recall • First Generation Computers used vacuum tubes.
• Second Generation Computers used transistors.
(Summary Points) • Third Generation Computers used Integrated
Circuits (ICs).
• Fourth Generation Computers use
microprocessors.
• Fifth Generation Computers are future computers
using Artificial Intelligence (AI).
• Characteristics of Computers:
• Speed
• Accuracy
• High Storage
• Diligence
• Versatility