History of Computing, Significant People in Computing

Charles Babbage

"father of computing"; sought out to build a machine capable of performing calculations to prevent human errors

first generational computers

large, room-sized machines used exclusively with binary code, performing one task at a time; used with vacuum tubes

Atanasoff-Berry Computer (ABC)

the first operational computer in the US, limited to solving systems of linear equations

Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer (ENIAC)

first generational computer developed during WW2 by the US Army; performed basic operations of addition, subtraction, multiplication and division

Universal Automatic Computer (UNIVAC)

the first computer sold for commercial purposes; performed basic mathematical computations and work with letters

second generation computers

used transistors instead of vacuum tubes, allowing the size of computers to decrease drastically

third generation computers

characterized by the use of integrated circuits, increasing efficiency and speed, the first computers to feature keyboards, monitors and operating systems

fourth generation computers

began with the use of microprocessors, allowing computers to fit in users' hands

fifth generation computers

computers that involve artificial intelligence (i.e. voice recognition, neural networks)

neural networks

a type of artificial intelligence designed to work like the human brain: to learn through experience and store information using interconnected pathways (i.e. the human brain)

1900-1926

computers become more and more business-oriented, no longer just for scientific use; IBM is founded

1927-1938

Konrad Zuse researches electric rays to be used as binary code; magnetic tape is invented; Claude E. Shannon uses Boolean Algebra to design a digital computer; Ralph Bear writes "Odyssey" video game; Samsung is founded in Korea

1939

Hewlett Packard is founded

1944-1946

the first computer is programmed using only punch tape to give commands instead of rewriting the machine; the original "bug" is found; the term bit is created; Sony Corporation is created

1947-1961

the transistor is developed and the first stored program computers are created ; A/O and FORTRAN are developed; first commercial computers are put on the market; 1st, 2nd and 3rd generation computers are developed

1962-1979

"C" programming language is developed; Unix is developed; the first CPU is developed; ATMs replace bank tellers; first consumer video game is published; floppy disk is invented; first commercial software, WordStar, is released

1980-2985

first portable computer is sold; Commodore Vie 20 and 64 sell 20M+ systems; Apple Macintosh is launched and CD-ROM is created

1986-1992

4th generation computers are created; computers evolve according to consumer demands; video, audio and TV features are created in demand

1993

pentium processor from Intel is launched; many ISPs are launched

1994+

constant monthly, annual improvements, and adaptations in networking, file sharing, the Internet, email, hardware, etc are developed

Bill Gates and Paul Allen

writer and creator of DOS for IBM, later create Windows OS and software applications

Robert Noyce

founder of Intel and co-created the first Integrated Circuit (IC)

Jack Kilby

co-creator of IC, later invented the first pocket calculator for Texas Instruments

Dennis Ritchie

inventor of Unix, an operating system

Marc Andreessen

co-founder of Netscape Communications, bringing Netscape navigator, an Internet browser

Mitch Kapor

founder of Lotus Development and later Lotus 1-2-3 (a spreadsheet program)

Bjarne Stroustrup

invetor of C++ programming language

Tim Berners-Lee

developer of the World Wide Web for CERN (European Council for Nuclear Research) launched in 1991; creator of HTML, URL, HTTP standards