Currently, computers are used for everything in life. For example, from researching for a large essay project to playing video games with friends. “From the outset, computers were weighed for both military and commercial significance, and hence they straddled the very institutional boundaries that central to this study. It is also significant that computers became valuable research instruments in nearly all disciplines.” (Akera, 2). The first digital computer was constructed in 1946 by John Mauchly, a professor, and Presper Eckert, an inventor. “They met by chance in 1941 at the University of Pennsylvania’s Moore School of Engineering. They soon developed a revolutionary vision: to use electricity as a means of computing--in other words, to make electricity "think."” (McCartney, 1). They were ignored by their colleagues, but in 1943 they were becoming more well known and was funded by the U.S Army. The U.S Army was seeking for a contraption that can quickly calculate ballistic missile trajectories in wartime Europe and Africa (McCartney, 1). John Mauchly and Presper Eckert led a team that constructed the computer that occupied 1,800 square feet and weighed thirty tons. They named the large computer, ENIAC, Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer. The process of building this machine was not an effortless task, Mauchly and Presper and their team had to overcome many problems
Today, computers are found everywhere and people rely upon them for travel directions, entertainment, purchasing products, and social interactions.
ENIAC stands for Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer. It was introduced on February 15, 1946 and was the very first digital and electronically run computer. It was created in the United States at the University of Pennsylvania and its original purpose was to calculate artillery firing tables during World War 2. The ENIAC weighed 30 tons and filled up an entire extremely large room with its many parts. Its complexity was prominent, containing approximately 18,000 vacuum tubes, 70,000 resistors, 10,000 capacitors, thousands of switches, and 1,500 relays. It produced calculations that, if done by hand, would have taken much longer to achieve. For example in one second, the ENIAC could solve 5,000 additions.
As explained in the Youtube video ENIAC - Electronic Numerical Integrator And Computer “ One computer could perform 5000 additions and 1000 multiplications per second” Using vacuum tubes to transfer information it took a whole team of engineers and specialist just to keep the thing working. Costing a whopping $500,000 and weighing 30 tons the ENIAC was a very bulky and awkward invention, but due to its success to complete calculations at a way 's faster rate then humans this lead a man named Bell Labs to invent the transistor , a replacement for the vacuums. Transistor allowed information to pass through at a faster rate and took up less space than the vacuums allowing the ENIAC’s to decrease in size. Over the years computers become very cheap to manufacture and took up less space than its ancestors this lead to the creation of the personal computer in 1974. Although missing key features like the mouse and keyboard, this lead to geniuses like, but not limited Bill Gates and Steve Jobs to create what we know today to be the personal computer, or PC.
Charles Babbage is recognized as “The Father of Computing”. He developed the concept of a digital programmable computer. Charles contrived the concept called the Analytical Engine and it hailed as the first general-purpose computer concept. The Analytical Engine serves to be the signature of computer technology; nevertheless, this computer concept was the evolution that began the inventions of computers. Whereas the 1st generation of computers served in the early 19th century, it expanded throughout the generations; thus, evolving into computers people know today. In the 21st century not computers, but technology itself are highly known to be used everywhere. The advancement of technology within the 21st century does not just go into using computers; furthermore, it goes to using cell phones, tablets, pcs, laptops, desktops, wearable devices, such as smartwatches and activity trackers, etc. Computers are disbursed within workplaces, such as colleges, high schools, and even hospitals.
Credentials: I have been involved in various aspects of the computer use for over twenty years. The fascination of the empowerment that learning how to tame the machine has been feeding over the years the interest in a field, that brought to life evolution of the technologies that have changed our world.
As we all know, computers can be found everywhere these days. They have changed the way we think, live and study, etc. The fact that computers have made incredible changes to our society, makes them very special invention. Although they might be only as important as other inventions such as electricity, airplanes, etc, it is their ability to be programmed to perform an amazing variety of tasks distinguishes computers from all the other inventions. Computers are playing an effective role in different fields such as Biology, Astronomy, Physics, Mathematics, High Definition Television (HDTV), Video Games and other social sciences. However, just like any other invention and new technology, computers have their own issues and problems.
What made modern computers possible- Is The invention that could do calculations and other information with no moving parts. Which was electronic components. Electronic components a fast efficient machine such as Babbage (who designed the mechanical calculating machines that are the ancestor of computers today) proposed could be built with all four components essential to modern computing.
Nothing epitomizes modern life better than the computer. For better or worse, computers have infiltrated every aspect of our society. Today computers do much more than simply compute: supermarket scanners calculate our grocery bill while keeping store inventory; computerized telephone switching centers play traffic cop to millions of calls and keep lines of communication untangled; and automatic teller machines (ATM) let us conduct banking transactions from virtually anywhere in the world. But where did all this technology come from and where is it heading? To fully understand the impact computers have on our lives and promises they hold for the future, it is important to understand the personal computer.
The first ever computer was invented in the 1820s by Charlse Babbage. However the first electronic digital computer were developed between 1940 and 1945 in the United States and in the United Kingdom. They were gigantic, originally the size of a large room, and also need to be supply a large amount of power source which is equivalent as several hundred modern personal computers. The history of computer hardware covers the developments from simple devices to aid calculation, to mechanical calculators, punched card data processing and on to modern stored program computers. The tools or mechanical tool used to help in calculation are called calculators while the machine operator that help in calculations is called computer. At first the
The ENIAC was invented by John Mauchly and J.Presper Eckert, Jr.and built from 1943-1945. The ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator and Calculator), often referred to as the first computer, was built to supply the need for faster calculations. It started the information age and led to the development of the first commercial computers (The ENIAC).
The computer technology has ushered in a revolution that is unprecedented in its sweep. Its effect on the everyday lives of ordinary people has been phenomenal. Right from the super satellite control stations to the grocer’s shop, the multinational company and the busy kitchen in the home this technology is all pervasive, all consuming. This is what makes it one of the most challenging fields as it not only meets needs but has the power to create new needs, rules and total environments of its own.
Technological advancements are made everyday. No matter the invention or its uses technology proceeds toward a superior state. One such advancement was the common computer. What began as a device that emulated a man following step-by-step directions, eventually blossomed into the devices we use today with a multitude of functions and uses. Today computers and their use, known as the concept of computing, have made a sizeable impact on everyday life, from the private lives of the common everyman to the social networks of average communities, the community of Clemson for instance. As time has passed and computers have advanced, computing has significantly influenced the Clemson community in terms of communication and organization.
Playing games on my father's computer as a child fascinated me in the way the computer works, how fast it develops, and now how the computer helps the world to communicate. It still amazes me in how fast computers change and how communication across the globe is enhanced with the computer. Computers have drastically changed how society lives and does business. Even small businesses can do global sales without leaving their location. With new strategies for business, comes cyber threats of identity theft and theft of intellectual property that brings information technology security and new laws into play. It is becoming a fast and ever challenging world. Computer science enables the ability to program software for protection against these kinds of threats and vulnerabilities. It also enables the ability to program artificial intelligence into the computer system software to enable society to meet their needs in more appropriate ways.