History of Computers, Essay Example

Introduction

Computers have become an important part of social development from one human generation to another. Unlike other forms of technology, the discovery and development of computers cannot be accounted from one person alone. Relatively, the distinct course of progressive evolution that computers have been best known for could be noted to have been a contribution coming from collaborative inventors, programmers and other enthusiasts who have been in constant desire to improve what has already been seen and discovered through time. With such knowledge in mind, it is safe to say that the history of computers is defined through the collaborative engagement of inventors and explorers of modern technology as they try to be more confined on what is assumed as directive development.

Through time, it could be observed [as recorded in history] that the evolution of computers is highly dependent on the distinct desire of humans to be acquainted with innovations that allow them to become more efficient in the works that they are expected to complete. Notably, with such a desire, the evolutionary development of computers has been given strong attention to. What is noted as a definite course progress in technology notes the capacity of computers to lead the current society towards a much more progressive system of development in the near future. In the discussion that follows, particular highlights that define the history of computers from the early 1930s towards the present shall be given specific attention to.

The First Generation of Computers (1936-1948)

From the abacus to the distinct creation of a complex machine that is able to compute basic mathematical operations, the creation of a unit that would allow humans to create commands and direct particular machines to work according to the demands established under particular industries, the era of the 1930s paved the way towards opening the doors into introducing what free computer programming is about. Under the leadership of Konrad Zeus, the Z1 computer has been produced. This computer features a free-programmable system that allows human individuals to become more acquainted to the open options that computer systems offer them with [especially when it comes to customizing the functions of a computer system into completing tasks that they are expected to accomplish]. This type of computer generation is often programmed to accomplish basic mathematical operations and formulas which have most often than not been applied to create a definite pattern of function in machines. It is because of this application that the number of machine-operators has decreased accordingly during the said years.

The Second Generation Computers (1951-1958)

While the first generation computers were made to specifically respond to single to three commands at a time, the complexity of the new second generation of computers opened the doors towards welcoming a more complex form of programming. In 1951, the release of first UNIVAC computer was given way under the leadership of John Presper Eckert and John Mauchly. This type of computer is already able to take on mass-operations [eg. Election: picking of new presidents based on social vote-counts]. The complexity of the programs that could be encoded in the system of these types of computers allowed for the presentation of a new sense of understanding the role of computers in the human society. Notably, it could be understood that this is where the release of first commercial computers have been given way.

These commercial computers allowed the new generation of computer-users to become more effective in determining the progressive function that these innovative technologies are supposed to provide them with. It is with the desire of the inventors and developers to make the best use of what benefits they could get from computers that the creation of such possibilities came into mind. It is also during this phase of development in computer-technology that organizations and computer developers such as IBM and FORTRAN came into being. These big names in the industry were the pioneers in making properly established computer systems that cater to the needs of the modern society as they embrace the new sense of understanding what computer-technology has to offer the public with.

Gaming and Computer-User Interaction (1962-1981)

During the introductionof the 1960s, the creation of highly interactive computers has been given way. Known as personal computers, this generation of new age computing machines could already be owned and utilized by individual users. Releasing the first microprocessor in 1971, the possibilities of creating hand held computers have been given birth. Nevertheless, such exploration required first hand direction on what personal computers are to be for. The creation of effective data storage systems has also been given way.

Allowing personal users of computer to be more effective in their sense of computer utilization, these personal sets of computers gives a sense of satisfaction especially when it comes to individual demands. Used for their office functions and personal operations, these set of basic personal computers provide a sense of usage-ease among the first owners of the said forms of technology. Best for basic business operations, the creation of the first programmable VisiCalc Spreadsheet Software has been introduced for public use. This allowed users to create calculations and formulations turning them into automatic operations that make the tasks easier to bear. WordStar Software was also introduced by Seymour Rubenstein and Rob Barnaby. This software made office works easier and served as the pioneer base for the creation of other more advanced forms of word processors.

In 1981, the presentation of the new revolutionary platform for programming has been given way in the form of MS DOS Computer Operating System. Relatively, this quick and dirty form of operating system paved the way towards determining a more directive course of development in programming that paves the way to more complex functions of the computer. It is from this form of computing program that the creation of more complex form of personal computers.

The Birth of New Age Computers (1983-1985)

From the new programming system comes the new-age form of computer setups that revolutionized the way computers are used at home. The first home computer with a GUI [Graphics User Interface] has been brought to life. Under the leadership of APPLE Inc., this computer provides home owners a much better access to the new age technology that tends to ease out their computing operations. From this point, new computer sets have been created to fit the home-owners’ demands accordingly. Such option of revolution in computer-distribution has paved the way to new discoveries that gave new age computers a better sense of reputation that caters to the basic needs of general users in the community.

Computer Revolution and Progress (1990-Present)

Since the early revolution of programming, it could be realized how practically developmental computer evolution has become. What made such progress possible is the distinct desire of humans to engage in something new and something innovative at all times. Reality suggests that new age technology does impose a sense of development especially when it comes to make a definite impact on how the human society functions accordingly. Computer revolution allowed for the chance by which people become more connected to how these machines of wonders work towards the development of new options of user-interface function that actually identifies well with what is assumed as modern computing options.

Looking Into the Future

The future of computers continue to open different possibilities of advancement that is expected to ease out the process by which humans complete the tasks that they are expected to accomplish. May it be industry based, office base, home based or other operations that are designed to give attention to the general functions of the society, computers are expected to shape the general operations of the human community as it embraces the new opportunities for the future. Computers are gradually becoming the main elements that define human development alongside the desire of developing social progress.

Overtime, computer operations in the modern society has allowed a sense of development especially on how humans function according to the tasks that they are supposed to accomplish. The future of computers will continue to be based on such function. Notably, it is through this distinctive value that computer technology and other skills related to developing its advancement are considered as a sense of investment especially among those who have distinct interest on how computers work and how they develop through time according to the demands of the community.

Conclusion

Computers have and will always be a basic factor that serves as the foundation of social advancement. Under the determination of a modern world to make amends to how humans live their lives, it is expected that computers will continue to take on center stage as they become the primary elements that are dedicated towards assuming the best option of growth that humans are likely to be well related to. Notably, the way people become strongly acquainted to this technology defines how well computers are shaping the culture and the living system of the modern human society.

In relation to this particular discussion, the history of computer-development does provide an efficient sense of improvement on how humans intend to embrace social progress in consideration with the determination of good computer operation application. The practical measures of advancement that the computers take into account at present does improve the manner by which humans function especially in consideration with the basic functions they are supposed to undergo. It is through this that the fast paced life-culture of the new social system gets supported through the emergence of new technological applications that are designed to redefine the pattern of living that humans take into account as they embrace modernity accordingly.

Works Cited

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Kempf, Karl (1961). “Historical Monograph: Electronic Computers Within the Ordnance Corps“. Aberdeen Proving Ground (United States Army).

Phillips, Tony (2000). “The Antikythera Mechanism I”. American Mathematical Society.

Essinger, James (2004). Jacquard’s Web, How a hand loom led to the birth of the information age. Oxford University Press.