It is very difficult to say who invented the computer.

Also, we must know the differences

between mechanical and programmable computers.

The first mechanical computer was created by a British called Charles Babbage (1793-
1871) in 1822. But the first programmable computer that really worked was the Z1. It was
invented by Konrad Zuse in 1941. It could store 64.

First Generation (1951-1958)

The first generation of computers used bulbs to process information. Eckert and Mauchly
contributed to the development the computer of the 1st generation. They built the UNIVAC
I. It was used to evaluate the census in 1950. They start building electronic computers. The
first was the IBM 701 in 1953. After a while it became a commercially viable product.
However in 1954 it was introduced the IBM 650. Although they were expensive and of
limited use, they were quickly accepted by private and Government Companies. In the
50’s IBM and Remington Rand were consolidated as leaders in the manufacture of
computers.

Second Generation (1959-1964)

The invention of the transistor made possible a new generation of computers, faster,
smaller and lower ventilation needs. But the cost was still high. The computer programs also
improved. The COBOL developed during the 1st generation was commercially available.
The 2nd Generation computers were smaller and faster than bulbs, and were used for new
applications, such as reservation systems for airlines, air traffic control and general purpose
simulations. Companies began to apply computers to record storage tasks such as
inventory management and accounting. They were also used by the Navy to create the
first flight simulator

Third Generation (1964-1971)

Integrated circuits allowed computer manufacturers to increase the flexibility of the

programs, and standardize their models. The IBM 360 one of the first commercial computers
used integrated circuits that could perform both numerical analysis and management or
file processing. Computers worked so fast that provided the ability to run more than one
program simultaneously (multiprogramming).

With the introduction of the IBM 360 captured 70% of the market. So to avoid competing
directly, Digital Equipment Corporation DEC redirected their efforts toward small
computers. Much less expensive to buy and operate, minicomputers were developed
during the second generation but reached its peak between 1960 and 70.

Fourth Generation (1971-present)

Two improvements in computer technology mark the beginning of the fourth generation:
the replacement of memories with magnetic cores, the silicon chip and the placement of
many more components in a Chip: product microminiaturization electronic circuits. The
small size of the microprocessor and chips made possible the creation of personal
computers (PC) Nowadays the LSI technology (large scale integration) and VLSI (very large
scale integration) allow hundreds of thousands of electronic components be stored in a
chip. Using VLSI a small manufacturer can make a small computer to rival a computer of
the first generation that occupies an entire room.