History and Evolution of

Computers
Lesson 1

Module 1 - Understanding Computers and Information Technology

 Objectives

At the end of the lesson, the students will be able to:

 Explain the history of computers
 Classify the different computer types
 Identify the common usage of computers in society

Module 1 - Understanding Computers and Information Technology

Computers have become ubiquitous. It comes in different
forms, sizes, prices, and purposes. A day without a computer
of any form could mean unproductive and dull. While it is true
that almost all of us know and use computers, not everyone
has developed nor acquired the skill of computer literacy.
Computer literacy plays a significant role for anyone to land a
good job. Gaining a more profound understanding of
computers could also help us enhance how we use them.
As its name suggests, the computer was initially designed to
perform complex calculations. The abacus in Figure 1.1 is an
ancient counting tool that is said to be one of the inspirations
in the design of the computing machine. Computers have
evolved, and today's computers can hardly be recognized
from the designs of early computers. Figure 1.1 First Calculating Device Abacus

Module 1 - Understanding Computers and Information Technology

Before 1980
Computers were large and expensive. Very few people had access to them. And computers are
primarily used for high-volume processing tasks.

Figure 1.2 First Programmable, Electronic, General-Purpose Digital Computer Figure 1.3 First General-Purpose Electronic Digital Computer Design
ENIAC – Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer for Business Application
UNIVAC – Universal Automatic Computer
Module 1 - Understanding Computers and Information Technology
Microcomputers in the early 80s
Computers were inexpensive, and some developed personal computers. The use of computers in
these years increased radically.

Figure 1.4 Personal Computers in the early 80s

UNIVAC – Universal Automatic Computer

Module 1 - Understanding Computers and Information Technology

 Today

2019 National ICT Household Survey Results

From the same report, it was
indicated that there were 89.00
million social media users in the
internet access at home
Philippines during that same
period. Meanwhile, the Philippine
communal cellphones
Statistics Authority recorded
275,735 establishments in the non-
communal computers
core ICT industries in 2019. Of these
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 establishments, 94.7 percent
internet owned and used computers and
communal communal
computers cellphones
access at communication equipment in their
home
2019 National ICT Household
business operations.
23.8 24 17.7
Survey Results

2019 National ICT Household Survey Results

Module 1 - Understanding Computers and Information Technology

Computers enable medical and research practitioners to
perform modeling and simulation. It is also a powerful tool for
research, development, and discovery. Computing systems
and devices have been incorporated into medical practice
at an accelerating rate. The influence of computing can be
seen in diagnostic imaging systems, radiation therapy, the
intensive care unit, the clinical laboratory, and the business
office (Lindberg & Humphreys, 1995).

Today the success of the banking industry is driven, to a large

extent, by its ability to create, process, generate, and
disseminate real-time information to its stockholders and
customers. As a result, what was once viewed as an
"expensive transaction and record-keeping tool" has now
become a strategic and competitive tool that can capture
market niches, promote and sell new products and services,
enhance decision-making, and provide exemplary service to
customers (Gupta & Collins, 1997).

Module 1 - Understanding Computers and Information Technology

Computers have evolved from giant mainframes to bulky workstations and desktops to slim notebooks
and now to highly portable handheld or wearable computers. Wearable and handheld computers
have great potential for military use, and there is currently great interest in what these highly mobile
devices can do (Tappert et al., 2001).

Module 1 - Understanding Computers and Information Technology

One in three employees uses a mainframe computer, personal computer, or word processor for an
average of about 16 hours a week. Proportionally more women than men are computer users. Better
educated workers, and those in the baby boom generation, also have levels of computer users
above the labor force average (Lowe, 1997).

Module 1 - Understanding Computers and Information Technology

A computer is a programmable device that stores, retrieve, and processes data. Humans were the original
computers (human computers) who performed numerical calculations using mechanical calculators, such
as the abacus and slide rule. The term was later given to mechanical devices as they began replacing
human computers. Today's computers are electronic devices that accept data (input), a process that data,
produce output, and store (storage) the results (IPOS) (Computer Hope, 2022).

Module 1 - Understanding Computers and Information Technology

 Data refers to raw and unorganized facts in text, graphics, audio,
or video.

Information is data that is processed into a functional form.

Information processing is converting data into information.

Module 1 - Understanding Computers and Information Technology

 Six basic categories of computers
 Embedded computers
 Mobile devices
 Personal computers
 Midrange servers
 Mainframe computers
 Supercomputers

Module 1 - Understanding Computers and Information Technology

 Embedded computers are combined into a
product. These are designed to perform
specific tasks or functions in a particular
product. It can't be used as a general-
purpose computer and is often embedded
into household appliances, thermostats,
sewing machines, A/V equipment, and cars.

Module 1 - Understanding Computers and Information Technology

 A mobile device is a tiny device with built-in
computing or internet capability—examples:
Smartphones, Smart Watches, handheld
gaming devices, and portable digital media
players.

Module 1 - Understanding Computers and Information Technology

 A personal computer is a system designed
for use by one person at a time.

Module 1 - Understanding Computers and Information Technology

 A midrange server is a medium-sized
computer that hosts programs and data for
a small network.

Module 1 - Understanding Computers and Information Technology

 A mainframe computer is an enormously
powerful computer used by numerous
organizations to manage large amounts of
centralized data.

Module 1 - Understanding Computers and Information Technology

 A supercomputer is the fastest, most
expensive, most powerful type of computer.

Module 1 - Understanding Computers and Information Technology