-
Period: to
1st Generation Computers
During this period, ENIAC, UNIVAC, short-code, SAGE, and Whirlwind computers were invented. They were a major part of this generation. -
ENIAC computer
The first large-scale general-purpose computer that was invented. -
UNIVAC computers
The first computer produced for general commercial use. It was invented by Eckert and Mauchly, and was used for businesses. -
Short-code
A set of instructions developed for the UNIVAC programmers. -
SAGE computers
These computers contained 50,000 vacuum tubes, weighed 250 tons, an occupied an acre of floor space were invented. -
The Whirlwind
This was a large-scale general-purpose digital computer. -
Period: to
2nd Generation Computers
During this period, the Mini-Computer PDP-8, SABRE, and IBM system 360 were invented. These computers were a major part of this generation. -
Mini-Computer:PDP-8
This was the first successful minicomputer. It used transistors and magnetic core memory. It was about the size of a refrigerator. -
SABRE computers
(Semi-Automatic Business-Related Environment) These computers were smaller than SAGE. They were used for a computerized ticket reservation system for American Airways. -
IBM's System 360
This computer had 6 processors and 40 peripheral units. More than 100 of these computers were sold per month. -
Period: to
3rd Generation Computers
During this period, INTEL, the microchip, and IBM System 370 were invented and were major parts of this generation. Gordon Moore came up with Gordon's Law, which is still used today. -
INTEL computers
(INTegrated ELectronics) Developed more sophisticated memory chips. -
The Microchip
The microchip replaced magnetic core memory. -
IBM's System 370
This computer replaced the System 360 that only used integrated circuits. -
Period: to
4th Generation Computers
During this period, IBM, APPLE, microprocessor, CP/M, Motorola's 68000 processor, APPLE's Lisa, and Window's 3.0 computers were invented. Nichalaus Wirth created the Pascal. They are a major part of this generation. -
Microprocessor
A general-purpose processor on a chip. -
The Pascal
The Pascal was invented by Niklaus Wirth. He developed a language designed to teach the concepts of structured programming. It is still the most popular for learning the basic principles of good programming. -
CP/M: Operating System
The CP/M was developed by Gary Kildall and John Torode. Torode invented the diskette (or floppy disk). -
APPLE
A company founded by Steve Wozniak and Steve Jobs. -
APPLE II
Cheap computers that were ideal for playing video games. -
Motorola's 68000 processor
Motorola's 68000 processor was used in the APPLE, Lisa, and Macintosh computers. -
APPLE's Lisa
A computer that used a mouse to move a cursor on the screen in order to select commands It was the first computer to use a Graphical User Interface (GUI). -
Window's 3.0
Window's 3.0 was released by Microsoft. -
First touchscreen technology
Touchscreen technology was first being used. -
Period: to
5th Generation Computers
During this period, expert systems, parallel-processing, superconductors, robotics, natural language, and virtual reality will be invented and become a major part of this generation. -
Windows 8
Current release of the Windows operating system, uses tablets, cloud-computing, and lots of new technology. -
Touchscreen technology
This is being used in phones, computers, ipods, and much more. -
Zero Touch
This type of technology does not use actual physical contact. -
Robotics
Computer controlled device that can physically manipulate its surroundings. -
Updated Cameras
Very expensive, better picture quality, and have more apps on them.
