Sachdeva Millennium School

Evolution of Computers
 The first
Computing Devices
History of computers dates back to the invention of a
mechanical adding machine in 1642. Abacus, an early
computing tool, invention of logarithm, Napier’s Bone by
John Napier and the invention of slide rules by William
Oughtred were significant events in the evolution of
computers.
 The first Generation
First generation computer consisted of vacuum tubes and
they were used from 1943-1958. ENIAC (Electronic
Numerical Integrator and Calculator) computer is an
example of first generation computer.
 The Second Generation
Second generation (1959-1965) computer consisted of
transistors i.e. vacuum tubes were replaced by transistors.
Thus the size of the computer got reduced considerably
 The Third Generation
Third generation (1966-1973) computer consisted of
integrated circuits (IC) i.e. many transistors in single
silicon chip. A single IC has many transistors, registers and
capacitors built on a single thin slice of silicon.
 The Fourth Generation
With the invention of microprocessor (1971), fourth
generation of computer evolution started and present day
computers are also categorized in the fourth generation.
 The Fifth Generation
The fifth generation computers are under development.
They are going to be based on principles of artificial
intelligence and natural language recognition. Developers
are aiming at computers capable of organizing themselves.