The computer is the most essential device in our modern life, without it, we can’t think of our existence. So, we need to know the history of the computer. Let’s go to search the history of computers. 

Abacus, The Basic Handmade Calculator

Very first level of computer history we found a handmade tool named Abacus.

The simple counting device was one of the first and most popular devices in ancient Greece to perform basic calculations.

Mechanical Calculator

In the history of the Computer, in the 17th century, Blaise Pascal invented the mechanical calculator, which could perform more complex calculations. 

Analytical Engine

In the 19th century, English mathematician Charles Babbage, the father of computers, during the 1833s designed the Analytical Engine, considered the first general-purpose computer. That is responsible for changing the history of the computer.

Hollerith Tabulating Machine

In the early 20th century, the invention of the Hollerith Tabulating Machine which was used for US census data processing in 1890, and Konrad Zuse’s Z3, often considered the world’s first electromechanical programmable computer.

ENIAC, The First Digital Computer

In 1945, ENIAC- “Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer” was designed by American physicist John Mauchly, and American engineer J. Presper Eckert. ENIAC was the first programmable, electronic, general-purpose digital computer, which established the digital computing era.

After ENIAC they invented another digital computer named “UNIVAC I” or  “UNIVAC”(Universal Automatic Computer) in 1951, as well as EDVAC (Electronic Discrete Variable Automatic Computer), BINAC was also invented.

The Invention of the Transistor

The invention of the transistor was on December 23, 1947, by Bell Laboratories in Murray Hill, New Jersey, USA. That is a revolutionary change in the history of the computer. Three scientists credited with the invention of the transistor were William Shockley, John Bardeen, and Walter Brattain. Transistors replaced bulky vacuum tubes, making computers smaller and faster. 

Invention of IC

In 1959, the silicon integrated circuit (IC) chip was developed by Robert Noyce at Fairchild Semiconductor. ICs allowed multiple electronic components to be integrated into a single semiconductor chip, increasing computing power and reliability while reducing cost.

Read More: What is a computer? Definition, Inventor, and best uses of it in 2024

Invention of the Internet

In the late 1960s ARPANET (Advanced Research Projects Agency Network) was developed by the United States Department of Defense (ARPA-Advanced Research Projects Agency). ARPANET was the first computer network that used packet switching to connect geographically scattered computers. It was the foundation of the internet and also contributed to a big change in the history of the computer. The first node of ARPANET was established at the University of California, Los Angeles in 1969.

Tim Berners-Lee‘s invention of the WWW- World Wide Web in 1989 revolutionized how information is accessed and shared online.

Personal Computers (1970s to 1980s)

The 1970s saw the emergence of the personal computer (PC) revolution, driven by pioneers such as Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and Bill Gates. Companies like Apple and IBM introduced affordable microcomputers equipped with user-friendly interfaces and software.

The release of the Apple II in 1977 and the IBM PC in 1981 marked significant milestones in the popularization of personal computing. These computers brought computing power to individuals and small businesses, fueling a surge in innovation and entrepreneurship in the tech industry.

The invention of the First Laptop: The Epson HX-20

The Epson HX-20 or HC-20 was the first “true” laptop computer in the world. It was invented in July 1980 by Seiko Epson, receiving a patent for the invention. It was announced in 1981 as the HC-20 in Japan and HX-20 in North America. It had a mass-market release in July 1982. It was hailed by Business Week magazine as the “fourth revolution in personal computing”. Computers are smaller with the invention of the laptop, which is a big volume change in the history of the computer.

Specifications of Epson HX-20:

• CPU: Dual Hitach 6301 CPU at 614 kHz
• Memory: 16 KB RAM (Expandable to 32 KB)
• Display: Dot-matrix LCD with 4 lines at 20 characters
• Graphics: 120×32 pixel
• Keyboard: 68-key keyboard
• Battery: Rechargeable Ni_Cad
• Printer: A 24-column dot matrix printer
• Casette: A Micro casette Drive
• Adapter: an Adapter for CRT output
• Weight: 3.5 lbs

Read More: The Classification of a Computer in the 21st Century

Mobile Computing and Smartphones (21st century)

The 21st century brought advancements in mobile computing, with the introduction of smartphones and tablets that combined computing power with portability and connectivity in the history of the computer. Apple’s iPhone, released in 2007, and Google’s Android operating system revolutionized the mobile industry, spawning a new era of computing on the go.

The App Store and Google Play Store created thriving ecosystems of mobile applications, offering users access to a vast array of software and services tailored to their needs and preferences.

Cloud Computing and Artificial Intelligence-AI (present and future)

Cloud computing, which allows users to access computing resources and storage over the internet, has become increasingly prevalent, enabling flexible and scalable computing solutions for businesses and consumers alike.

Advances in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning are driving new opportunities and challenges in computing, with applications ranging from voice assistants and autonomous vehicles to predictive analytics and medical diagnosis. AI is the most powerful invention in the history of the computer.

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