History

The history of computers can be divided into five generations:

• First Generation Computers
• Second Generation Computers
• Third Generation Computers
• Fourth Generation Computers
• Fifth Generation Computers

First Generation Computers

The first generation of computers was Voluminous Computer. These computers used electronic valves like the ones used in the old radio and television systems. ENIAC was the first computer of this category. The electronic-based machine was made in 1946 by Eckert and JW Mauchly of Pennsylvania, United States, and was called ENIAC [Electronic Numerical Integrator and Calculator].

It was the very fast machine as compared to its associates and could perform 350-5000 multiplications in one second. It contained 18000 vacuum tubes, 70000 resistors, 10000 capacitors, and 60000 switches and occupied 2 rooms. It consumed 150 KW of power and had to be water-cooled. It weighed 30 tones.

Second Generation Computers

The Nobel Prize winner John Burdern with Walter H. Brattain and William D. Shockley jointly discovered the transistors in the laboratory of Bell Telephone System. The invention of transistors in 1948 led to the development of the Second Generation of Computers. The transistors replaced the valves completely as they were far more superior in performance and they were very small; they consumed a little power and the heat-production rate was also relatively less. They were, in fact, expensive machines which only large organizations could offer.

Third Generation Computers

In 1964, the third generation of computers was introduced. These had integrated circuits [ICs] having higher speed, larger storage capacity, and lower price. These computers were also called mini computers. The IC was invented by Jack Kibbley at the Texas Instruments back in 1958.

Fourth Generation Computers

ICs which have the entire computer circuitry on a single silicon chip are known as microprocessors. The computers using these chips are known as microcomputers. Due to the development of microprocessor chips in 1971 by the Intel Corporation of the United States, another breed of computers came into the existence in 1974 and was known as Fourth Generation of Computers.

Fifth Generation Computers

The fifth generation is the story of the new super-breed computers now being planned by the Japanese. These computers will contain bits of information and will be able to think and make the own decision in a certain instance. Better than humans, artificial intelligence is thus emerging from the idea of imagination and will be able to think and make own decisions.

The Japanese call their fifth generation machine KIPS [Knowledge Information Processing System]. It will work as complier of human thoughts and intelligence.