A Short Outline of Computer History

This page summarizes the content in Reed chapter 6.

• Generation 0: Mechanical Computers (1642 - 1945)
• Special purpose (adding, subtracting)
• May use electro-mechanical switches
• Generation 1: Vacuum Tubes (1945 - 1954)
• Electronic switches
• Large
• Partially programmable
• Prone to failure
• Produces a lot of heat
• Generation 2: Transistors (1954 - 1963)
• Electronic switches
• Much smaller than vacuum tubes
• Fully programmable
• Reliable
• Generation 3: Integrated Circuits (1963 - 1973)
• Many transistors fit on one chip
• Mass produced
• Eventually whole computer fits on a chip (1971)
• Generation 4: Very Large Scale Integration (VLSI) (1973 - 1985)
• Smaller, faster, less expensive
• Consumers buy personal computers
• Generation 5: Parallel processing and Networking (1985 - ??)
• Value increased with internet and web connectivity
• Chips contain muliple processors
• Embedded processors in consumer devices
• Generation 6?