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Vacuum tubes
The first computer was Z1, created by Konrad Zuse. Was a electromechanical binary programmable computer and the first functional modern computer. The main memory was in the form of magnetic drums. -
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Transistors
The main memory is in the form of RAM and ROM.
They were less expensive, consumed less power, more compact in size, more reliable and faster.
They used assembly language and high-level programming languages. For example the IBM 1620:
http://lh4.ggpht.com/-1gBxAkBNobc/R1PuahAaO9I/AAAAAAAAEaE/Y7KAgThlJEo/imgp1129.jpg -
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Integrated circuits
Transistors were miniaturised and placed on silicon chips, which rapidly increased the speed and efficiency of computers. They were keyboards and monitors and were connected to an operating system. For example, the IBM-360 series:
https://www.socialfuturo.com/tal-dia-como-hoy/ibm-system-360-revoluciona-la-industria-para-siempre/ -
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Microprocessors
Thousands of integrated circuits were built on to a single silicon chip. What in the first generation filled an entire room could now fit in the palm of the hand.
Example: https://www.ibm.com/ibm/history/exhibits/mainframe/mainframe_2423PH4341.html -
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Artificial intelligence
Are still in development, though there are some applications, such as voice recognition, that are being used today. Quantum computation and molecular and nanotechnology will radically change the face of computers in years to come. The goal of fifth-generation computing is to develop devices that respond to natural language input and are capable of learning and self-organization.
