How long has there been a computer? Everything about the story
In this article we explain to you how long computers have been around. The development of the computer remains an exciting process to this day.
How long has there been a computer?
It is difficult to define exactly when computers have been around since. Forerunners, such as mechanical calculating aids, existed long before Christ, such as the abacus. However, the term computer is much younger and emerged at the beginning of the 20th century. In addition to the punch card machine IBM 601 (1935), the first machines by the German inventor Konrad Zuse played an important role. However, the term computer was not used. To date, many believe that there are several first computers.
1936: Z1 by Konrad Zuse
In 1936, Konrad Zuse began developing the first program-controlled automatic machine, which was completed in 1938. The Z1 was the first computer to work with binary numbers and was programmed using paper tape. However, the computer was very unreliable due to mechanical problems. A replica of the Z1 is in the Technikmuseum in Berlin.
1941: Z3 by Konrad Zuse
Z3 is the successor to the Z1. It was the first program-controlled and freely programmable computer, so it could be used in many different ways. In Germany in particular, the view is held that the Z3 is the world's first functional universal computer.
1946: 1st generation data processing systems
In 1946 Eckert and Mauchly invented the first fully electronic tube calculator ENIAC. The "Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer" was used by the US Army to calculate ballistic tables. ENIAC mastered basic arithmetic and was also able to take square roots.
1956-1980: Data processing systems 2nd-5th generations
In these years, higher programming languages, compatible computers and virtual storage principles were developed. In addition, database systems and multiprocessor systems emerged as knowledge-based systems. The first freely programmable desktop computer in the world was sold by the Olivetti company: in 1965 the machine called "Programma 101" could be purchased for $ 3, 200.
1970-1974: Revolution of the computer
Due to the fact that microprocessors became cheaper, many computers were built and brought onto the market during this period. Intel and Fairchild in particular played a leading role here. Intel built the first microcomputer during these years: On November 15, 1971, the 4-bit Intel 4004 processor was introduced. In 1973 the "Xerox Alto" was published, the first computer with a graphical user interface, mouse and built-in Ethernet card.
1976-1979: microcomputer
The microcomputers became popular and were sold in large numbers. There were new operating systems and floppy disk drives. Microsoft established itself on the market. There were also the first games and standard software titles. 1978 saw the first 32-bit computer from DEC. With the IBM 5100, IBM developed the first "portable" computer that weighed 25 kilograms, had 16 KB of RAM, had a 16x64 character display and cost more than 9, 000 US dollars. Mainly due to the high price, however, this could not prevail.
1980-1983: The first "real" PC
In the 1980s the era of "home computers" began, for example with the Commodore VC20, the Atari XL or computers from Amiga. IBM had a great influence on future PC generations with the IBM PC introduced in 1981: The device class it defined is still valid today: The x86 processors are based on further developments of the original device design from IBM. At the end of the 1970s there were a large number of technical devices and manufacturers. At that time, IBM was the dominant provider on the market. In 1980, you launched the first real computer. This still shapes almost all computers today. In 1982, IBM launched Word, NetWare and other applications. In 1983 the Apple Macintosh made it easier to use.
$config[ads_text5] not found1985/1986: further development
The 520ST was launched in 1985. It was an Atari computer that was extremely powerful at the time. The first mini computer, the MicroVAX II, was also released. In 1986 IBM launched a new operating system (OS / 2).
1990: Windows rises
On May 22, 1990 Windows 3.0 came on the market, which was the breakthrough for Microsoft at the time. Around three million copies of the operating system were sold in the first six months alone. In addition, the Internet was increasingly manifesting itself as a global means of communication.
1991-1995: Windows and Linux
Subsequently, the initially very expensive computers became more and more affordable. With Word, Excel and PowerPoint, important end-user applications were further developed, which were finally put together to form the Office package that is still used today. In 1991 the Finnish developer Linus Torvalds started working on Linux. In many companies, Ethernet has become the data standard. The networking of computers also made the client-server model more and more popular, which made networking possible.
$config[ads_text6] not found1996-2000: The Internet is becoming more important
The computer scientist Tim Berners-Lee developed the markup language "html", the transfer protocol "http" and the "uniform resource pointer" "url" to give each website a name and to transport the content from the web server to the browser. From 1995, numerous web editors were available, which made it possible for many people to create their own websites without much prior knowledge.
21st century: further development
In 2003, Apple launched the PowerMac G5. It was the first computer with a 64-bit processor. In 2005, Intel created the first dual-core processors. In the further course, the development of multi-core processors, calculations on graphics processors as well as tablet computers dominated. Since 2005, environmental aspects in particular have been taken into account in the further development of the computer.
Latest technology: quantum computers
Scientists are working on quantum computers in many laboratories these days. These computers work on a qubit basis. We'll explain in another article how exactly the quantum computers work.