Fourth Generation (1971-1991)
"It's fine to celebrate success, but it is more important to heed the lessons of failure."
-Bill Gates, Cofounder of Microsoft
Microprocessors Are the Start of Modern Computers
The idea of computer technology took a big turn with the invention of microprocessors and VLSI technology (very large scale integration). They were the introduction to modern day computers by basically being a computer's entire Central Processing Unit (CPU) on one integrated circuit. They're actually just extremely complex and intricate integrated circuits. The first microprocessor was first introduced in 1971 by Intel, invented by their employee Ted Hoff. They named it the Intel 4004; the first computer on a chip. These chips made it possible for computers to fit on a desktop.
ALTAIR 8800; the First Personal Computer
MITS' ALTAIR 8800 is credited as one of the first microcomputers. It was produced in 1975 by Micro Instrumentation Telemetry Systems labeled as a personal computer; PC. Ed Roberts, the head of MITS, designed it using a Intel 8080 CPU chip (first 16- bit microprocessor) and a sleek metal case. Once a monitor and keyboard were sold with it, the sales increased greatly. It was the initial influence of personal computing in the world. You could run BASIC language on it, written by Bill Gates and Paul Allen sold as "Altair BASIC" which became their company's, Microsoft's, first product. The computer sold very well for an amount of time, but then, MITS was sold to a company called Pertec in 1976. The ALTAIR seemed to disappear into history.
Further Reading on the ALTAIR 8800
Further Reading on the ALTAIR 8800
Apple Computers
Steve Wozniak first developed the original Apple computer, Apple I, in 1976. It was Apple's first product; a small personal computer. His friend Steve Jobs helped him sell the computer, and later helped him manufacture the Apple II. Wozniak and Jobs were the true co-founds of Apple. They developed the Apple II, which was one of the first highly successful, mass produced home microcomputers. It was the first in their Apple II series that ended in 1993. About five million were sold total. They ran ROM and Integer BASIC, developed by Wozniak. He also developed Disk II, a Floppy Disk Drive for storage, in 1978.
Apple also introduced the Macintosh in 1984 based on the Motorola 68000 microprocessor. It was not initially commercially successful, but eventually became so with the introduction to desktop publishing. Apple also produced the Apple III series in 1980, but it was unsuccessful due to an overheating problem. Many other Apple computer models were produced throughout the fourth generation of computing. Some proved successful, while others didn't.
Apple also introduced the Macintosh in 1984 based on the Motorola 68000 microprocessor. It was not initially commercially successful, but eventually became so with the introduction to desktop publishing. Apple also produced the Apple III series in 1980, but it was unsuccessful due to an overheating problem. Many other Apple computer models were produced throughout the fourth generation of computing. Some proved successful, while others didn't.
The Beginnings of "Micro-Soft"
The founders of Microsoft, Paul Allen and Bill Gates, began working with computers by writing BASIC in a partnership with MITS for the ALTAIR 8800. They thought of the name micro-soft as in "Microprocessing Software." They started out with mostly making operating systems and programming languages. DOS, Disk Operating System, brought in much success for the company. A partnership with IBM lead to the release of the IBM PC DOS in 1981. The company upheld many other collaborations, creating systems for different computers during that era.
In 1985, they released a retail version of Windows 1.0, a 16- bit graphical operating environment. They also released a operating system called OS/2 with IBM, which was quite successful. A program for word processing, database, and spreadsheet was also released, which was named Microsoft Works in 1986. As the release of Windows 3.0 came about, OS/2 sales greatly declined, and Microsoft abandoned the partnership with IBM. They began the transition from MS-DOS to Windows. "Microsoft Windows" truly became its own computer company.
Also Refer to: A History of Windows
In 1985, they released a retail version of Windows 1.0, a 16- bit graphical operating environment. They also released a operating system called OS/2 with IBM, which was quite successful. A program for word processing, database, and spreadsheet was also released, which was named Microsoft Works in 1986. As the release of Windows 3.0 came about, OS/2 sales greatly declined, and Microsoft abandoned the partnership with IBM. They began the transition from MS-DOS to Windows. "Microsoft Windows" truly became its own computer company.
Also Refer to: A History of Windows
What defines generation 4?
Characteristics of the fourth generation include:
Some Computers of the fourth generation include:
- Use of the Microprocessor/ VLSI Technology
- Much Less Expensive
- More Portable
- Much Smaller Size
- Usage of the Internet
- Computers were More Easily Available to Everyone; PCs
- BASIC Computer Language
- Computer Mouse and GUI make Computers More Personable
Some Computers of the fourth generation include:
- ALTAIR 8800
- Apple I
- Apple II series
- Macintosh
- IBM PC