The last several decades of the 20th Century were consumed with computer technology. Computer technology of the past laid today’s computer foundation.
Many know that the computers found in handheld devices and on desks in homes today once filled an entire room. Nevertheless, computer technology of the past is often not considered when a person turns on their computer. Here are some things to consider when it comes to past computer technology. They include:
- 1940s and mid 1950s
These computers were huge and used vacuum tubes, such as in radios and TVs, as well as magnetic drums to help with information storage. It was expensive to even operate a computer then and a large amount of electricity. Computers would even overheat and this caused operation problems.
- Late 1950s to early 1960s
This is when the huge vacuum tubes were removed as the transistor had been invented. The computer was reducing in size and becoming less expensive to use. The International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) helps create energy efficient computers as well. The early 1960s lead to computers being used more, such as in the government.
- Mid 1960s to early 1970s
Computers continued to grow smaller when the integrated circuit came into use. It allowed many elements to fit in one location. They used a chip or semiconductor. This helped computers to work faster as well as more efficiently.
- Mid 1970s to the 1990s
Intel chips got their start in early the 1970s allowing even more elements to be located in one location. Again the computer was getting smaller. The 1980s computers started to be small enough, efficient enough and cost effective enough to be found in some homes. Apple and Macintosh became known in 1984. The computers continued to improve and in the 1990s the Internet was becoming known.
The computer technology of the past has lead to more modern events and advancements for jobs to everyday life, we have many online degree programs to help us in gain degrees online.