First Generation (1930-1958)
"I've always been more interested in the future than in the past."
-Grace Hopper, Developer of the Mark Series
Getting into the Computer Business
Far from today’s computer technology, the first
electric computers were very
different. First generation computers could take up the space of an entire
room, were expensive to run, and generated much heat, often the cause of their
own malfunctions. The first computers only carried out mathematical equations. Only
one calculation was solved at a time, using punch card and paper tape as input
and printouts as output.
In 1944 at Harvard University, Howard Aiken and Grace Hopper started work on the MARK computer series in partnership with IBM. Mark I was controlled by pre-punched tape to calculate addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division using previously calculated results. It required about 4 seconds to perform a multiplication problem, and took up the space of a giant room. It as put to use with the war effort.
Aiken was a huge influence on the growing of computer technology. He often spoke about how important they were and showed that it was possible to make a machine that could carry out a series of commands. At Harvard, he founded the world's first full pledged computer science program class. Computer science would have never grown to where it is today if it weren't for this giant leap forward that the Mark I provided.
Skip to detailed section about Grace Hopper; a pioneer in computing.
In 1944 at Harvard University, Howard Aiken and Grace Hopper started work on the MARK computer series in partnership with IBM. Mark I was controlled by pre-punched tape to calculate addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division using previously calculated results. It required about 4 seconds to perform a multiplication problem, and took up the space of a giant room. It as put to use with the war effort.
Aiken was a huge influence on the growing of computer technology. He often spoke about how important they were and showed that it was possible to make a machine that could carry out a series of commands. At Harvard, he founded the world's first full pledged computer science program class. Computer science would have never grown to where it is today if it weren't for this giant leap forward that the Mark I provided.
Skip to detailed section about Grace Hopper; a pioneer in computing.
Introduction to Vacuum Tubes
The first generation of computer history is
generally characterized by the widely used vacuum
tubes. A vacuum tube worked similarly to a light bulb and was invented
around the same time as a bulb. It made signals stronger; as an amplifier. They
acted as switches as well by instigating and stopping the flow of electricity. They
also served as magnetic drums for memory. However, these components took up
very much space, making the computer very big.
This electric current controlling device was first developed through research by Thomas Edison, Eugen Goldstein, Nikola Tesla, and Johann Wilhelm Hittorf. Edison patented his research and discoveries in 1884, but he didn’t quite understand the physics or importance. Later in early 20th century, John Ambrose Fleming used a diode tube to detect radio signals, which led to the development of the triode tube. These inventions started further advancement in telephony (technology in transmitters and receivers).
This electric current controlling device was first developed through research by Thomas Edison, Eugen Goldstein, Nikola Tesla, and Johann Wilhelm Hittorf. Edison patented his research and discoveries in 1884, but he didn’t quite understand the physics or importance. Later in early 20th century, John Ambrose Fleming used a diode tube to detect radio signals, which led to the development of the triode tube. These inventions started further advancement in telephony (technology in transmitters and receivers).
Vacuum Tubes in Use; ENIAC I
The Electrical Numerical Integrator and Calculator (ENIAC I) was developed in 1946 by John
Mauchly and John Presper Eckert. Its use of vacuum tubes was more efficient
than the mechanical switches of the Mark I. ENIAC was made initially for the
American military, for they needed a computer to calculate settings used for
weapons under different conditions, in terms of accuracy.
ENIAC contained 17,468 vacuum tubes, took up 1800 square feet of space, weighed 30 tons, and used 160 kilowatts of electricity. It could calculate 5,000 additions, 357 multiplications or 38 divisions in one second. Well lived, its development and research led to improvements of vacuum tubes.
ENIAC contained 17,468 vacuum tubes, took up 1800 square feet of space, weighed 30 tons, and used 160 kilowatts of electricity. It could calculate 5,000 additions, 357 multiplications or 38 divisions in one second. Well lived, its development and research led to improvements of vacuum tubes.
Another Milestone in Computing; UNIVAC I
The Universal Automatic Computer (UNIVAC I) was invented in 1951 by the
same team who developed ENIAC. It’s credited as the world’s first commercially
available computer. It performed much faster than the ENIAC and processed each
digit serially. It was advertised strongly on its input/output capabilities,
and was delivered by the census bureau.
The Mauchly- Eckert Computer Corporation faced much competition with IBM’s general purpose computers, but for a brief time, the UNIVAC was a market success.
The Mauchly- Eckert Computer Corporation faced much competition with IBM’s general purpose computers, but for a brief time, the UNIVAC was a market success.
What defines generation 1?
Characteristics of the first generation include:
Some computers of the first generation include:
- Use of Vacuum Tubes
- Very Large
- Quite Costly
- Large in Space
- Fairly Unreliable
- Highly Electricity Consuming
- Slower Performance
- Punch Cards/ Printouts
Some computers of the first generation include:
- ENIAC
- UNIVAC
- IBM 701
- IBM 650