Angie's Technology Evolution Series: 2- The Computer

The next step in my little series will be.... computers! I'm not going to lie to you and say that learning the history of the computer was fun. Matter of a fact, it was boring and filled with large, complex words that my non-geek brain couldn't even process. It's not because the computer is hard to use, because let's be honest, we've all used one for almost our whole lives, it's because the process is mind-blowing, and more complicated than we think. I finally found an article that wasn't too hard to understand and they dumbed it down for people like me, who could care less what in integrated circuit was...

Let's start with the beginning...

1936 was the magic year for computers. The Z1 computer was developed by Konrad Zuse. Before we get deep in our little history lesson, let me make it clear that the computer doesn't have just one specific inventor that's known for this life-saving invention. No, actually, the Z1 was only said to be first because it was the first programmable computer, not the first in general. Also, it wasn't until 1942 that John Atanasoff and Clifford Berry, owners of ABC Computers saw potential business with computers. Then from there, the process of developing the computer boomed for the next ten years. One computer, called the ENIAC 1, required 20,000 vaccum tubes to operate, so knowing what we know now, they had a LONG way to go...

Then, came the big boom. In 1953, the mothership had entered the computer industry that changed the future of computers. IBM. Their first computer? The IBM 701 EDPM Computer. (Sorry it's not as simple as Mac...)

Then came the invention of the integrated circuit in 1958. This allowed computers to fly forward. This allowed room for gaming, the mouse, and eventually the internet.

It's hard to believe that it's only been since around 1979 that these wonderful things entered our homes.

After the actual computer had been invented, it then became more a competition between companies to see who can be better. The biggest being between Apple and Microsoft.

The computer says a lot about our lives. It's only been around for about 70 years, but it seems like life can't go on unless someone has the internet. We rely on much communication with our titanium or plastic devices, and some seem to literally have no other function, but to sit in front of a screen. It's amazing that now, we need to make sure we know how to use computers and use them well to be able to blossom in our futures. Employers of any type tend to look to see what your skills on with they keyboard. With typewriters going extinct, the only way most people can type a letter is on Word. Thirty years ago, that statement would've been forgien, but now every person knows what I'm talking about. So what about our future with computers? Honestly, thinking that any technology that is in existence now can jump forward blows my mind. I'm not sure how much more complicated (or not, however you look at it) we can get with our computers or laptops. People are already combing our cell phones with our computers and making the internet well available by the touch of a button on our mobile (yes, I said that in my head as moe-bile).

Want more information? Check out the article I got my info from!

http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Evolution-of-Technology---The-History-of-Computers&id=16046

And here's a little fun video from way-back-when. I've always found it humorous.




Until Tuesday....

Angie Green