The history of computing technology can be organized into four distinct generations, each defined by a distinct transformation in technological innovation. The first generation stretched from 1947-1957, and is identifiable by its use of vacuum tube technology. This generation transitioned into the second generation during the late 1950’s with the use of transistors. Subsequently in the 1960’s the third generation began, classified by its use of integrated circuits. The fourth generation of computers became prominent in the 1970’s with use of microprocessors, and some argue that 2016 computers continue to be part of this fourth generation of technology. Others, however, view modern technology as a part of a whole new fifth generation: classified
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In addition, they consumed less energy and broke less often. They transformed second generation computing by prompting the “notions of stored programs, core memory, and higher-order programming languages,” to “[take] hold. (Hurlburt and Voas).”
Integrated circuit technology was created in 1959 by Jack Kilby (who went on to win a Nobel prize), vital to the third generation of computing and “coalesced the power of multiple transistors (Hurlburt and Voas).” The use of applications was also new to third generation computing and was enabled by operating systems with on-board semiconductor memory (Hurlburt and Voas).
Fourth generation technology was made possible by the microprocessor, a device derived from “large-scale integration of ICs (Hurlburt and Voas).” Consumer use grew as “interfaces became more streamlined (Hurlburt and Voas),” while gaming, word processing and spreadsheets became …show more content…
During this first generation “the theoretical community spawned five important movements (Hurlburt and Voas),” that changed the world socially. Most notably, McCulloch and Pitts recognized the neuron as the primary logic unit in the brain, this was a huge breakthrough and has subsequently had a great impact on society (Hurlburt and Voas). Also important, was the conceptualization of artificial intelligence which occurred in the 1950’s. Second generation computing introduced the idea of simulating social systems and interpreting the resulting models. (Hurlburt and Voas). During third generation computing, it was confirmed that computers were not only more accurate for data calculation, but often for reasoning as well. Fourth and fifth generations of computers have arguably brought the largest social changes to culture. Functions exponentially multiplied to redefine the way we use devices. Large scale networking, social media and cloud computing are among most significant developments as they have changed the way we communicate, learn, store and protect important
In addition, they consumed less energy and broke less often. They transformed second generation computing by prompting the “notions of stored programs, core memory, and higher-order programming languages,” to “[take] hold. (Hurlburt and Voas).”
Integrated circuit technology was created in 1959 by Jack Kilby (who went on to win a Nobel prize), vital to the third generation of computing and “coalesced the power of multiple transistors (Hurlburt and Voas).” The use of applications was also new to third generation computing and was enabled by operating systems with on-board semiconductor memory (Hurlburt and Voas).
Fourth generation technology was made possible by the microprocessor, a device derived from “large-scale integration of ICs (Hurlburt and Voas).” Consumer use grew as “interfaces became more streamlined (Hurlburt and Voas),” while gaming, word processing and spreadsheets became …show more content…
During this first generation “the theoretical community spawned five important movements (Hurlburt and Voas),” that changed the world socially. Most notably, McCulloch and Pitts recognized the neuron as the primary logic unit in the brain, this was a huge breakthrough and has subsequently had a great impact on society (Hurlburt and Voas). Also important, was the conceptualization of artificial intelligence which occurred in the 1950’s. Second generation computing introduced the idea of simulating social systems and interpreting the resulting models. (Hurlburt and Voas). During third generation computing, it was confirmed that computers were not only more accurate for data calculation, but often for reasoning as well. Fourth and fifth generations of computers have arguably brought the largest social changes to culture. Functions exponentially multiplied to redefine the way we use devices. Large scale networking, social media and cloud computing are among most significant developments as they have changed the way we communicate, learn, store and protect important