GE ELEC 3: LIVING IN IT ERA

LESSON ONE:

HISTORY
OF
COMPUTERS
 DATES TO REMEMBER

1936
The First Computer
The first freely programmable computer came into play.
 DATES TO REMEMBER

1947
The transistor
The transistor was invented by Bell Telephone
Company. It wasn't a computer in itself ‘but it was
a vital computer component.
 DATES TO REMEMBER

1953
IBM
International Business Machines came out with their
first computer machine.
 DATES TO REMEMBER

1955
Bank Computers
The first bank computers were invented. They used
Micro magnetic ink character recognition to read
checks.
 DATES TO REMEMBER

1958
The Computer Chip
Jack Kilby and Robert Noyce invented the integrated
circuit, better known as the computer chip.
 DATES TO REMEMBER

1962
Video Games
Spacewar games invented the first computer video games.
 DATES TO REMEMBER

1963
The mouse is invented
Douglas Engelbart invented the computer mouse. He
called it the mouse because the cord came out the back
like a tail.
 DATES TO REMEMBER

1969
The Internet
The first internet was called ARPANET. The original
internet wasn't used very widely because not many people
had access to it.
 DATES TO REMEMBER

1974-1977
The First Personal Computers
IBM and Apple were just a couple of the brands that put out
the first personal computers.
 DATES TO REMEMBER

1975
Microsoft is born
Bill Gates worked with Paul Allen to develop BASIC for
the Altair 8800.

1989
Microsoft expands
Microsoft made a program that was compatible with IBM
computers. This let more people encounter the now well-
known program.
 DATES TO REMEMBER

Vs.

1991
The internet as we know it
Tim Berners Less came up with the World Wide Web. He
started a computer revolution.
 DATES TO REMEMBER

1991
The laptop comes into play
The first laptop computer the Power Book 100came out. There
were other portable computers before this but they were very
clunky and expensive
 DATES TO REMEMBER

1996
World Wide Convention
The first internet convention was held.
 DATES TO REMEMBER

1996
Mini Computers
Nokia introduced a phone that had internet capabilities. This
started a revolution of devices that were small portable
computers/ Distribution Channels Defined
 WHAT IS AN INFORMATION?

INFORMATION is any form of

communication that provides
understandable and useful knowledge
for the person receiving it. It is data
processed for some purpose.
 WHAT IS A COMPUTER?
COMPUTER
- Is a general purpose, programmable device that is used for the production
and processing of information
- Capable of calculating and storing results
 WHAT IS MEANT BY GENERAL PURPOSE
General purpose means that computers can be used for almost any purpose

Typewriter Video Editor Accounts Tracker Database/ Address Book

DVD/CD Player
- And many others…
 COMPUTER
Computers Are Programmable
• Computers respond to instructions in the form of programs
• Programs are written in order to make computers behave in specific ways i.e. word
processor, systems control
• Programs are stored in the Computer memory
 COMPUTER

HOW COMPUTERS PROCESS INFORMATION

• Computers accept inputs (data)
• The input is translated into binary numbers and ‘processed’
• The process produces output (information)
• This sequence can repeat endlessly: outputs can be inputs.
 Computer Literacy is Vital in Today’s World

• Knowledge and understanding of computers and its uses

• Update yourself with new digital technologies

• “Everybody” uses computers

 USES OF COMPUTER IN SOCIETY AND WORK
EDUCATION
Students use computers and software to assist with learning or take distance learning classes.
 USES OF COMPUTER IN SOCIETY AND WORK
FINANCE
Computers are used for online banking and online investing.
 USES OF COMPUTER IN SOCIETY AND WORK
GOVERNMENT
Government offices have Web sites to provide citizens with up-to-date information, and government employees use computers as part of their daily
routines.
USES OF COMPUTER IN SOCIETY AND WORK
HEALTH CARE
Computers are used to maintain patient records, monitor patients, deliver medication to nurse stations via robots, assist with medical tests and
research, correspond with patients, file insurance claims, provide greater precision during operations, and as implants.
USES OF COMPUTER IN SOCIETY AND WORK
SCIENCE
All branches of science use computers to assist with collecting, analyzing, and modeling data and to communicate with colleagues around the
world.
 USES OF COMPUTER IN SOCIETY AND WORK
PUBLISHING
Publishers use computers to assist in designing pages and make the content of their works available online.
 USES OF COMPUTER IN SOCIETY AND WORK
TRAVEL & TRANSPORTATION
Many vehicles use some type of online navigation system to help people travel more quickly and safely.
 USES OF COMPUTER IN SOCIETY AND WORK
MANUFACTURING
Manufacturers use computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) to assist with manufacturing processes.
 GE ELEC 3: LIVING IN IT ERA

LESSON ONE:

HISTORY
End of Discussion
OF
COMPUTERS