Evolution of Computers: Vacuums Not for Cleaning

Each generation of computer is designed based on a new technological development, resulting in better, cheaper and smaller computers that are more powerful, faster and efficient than their predecessors.
Goel, A. (2010). Computer Fundamentals. India: Pearson Education India.

The 1st Generation –Vacuum Tubes

• (1940 to 1956)
• Software Technology - The instructions were written in machine language. Machine language uses 0s and 1s for coding of the instructions. The first generation computers could solve one problem at a time.
• Computing Characteristics - The computation time was in milliseconds.
• Physical Appearance - These computers were enormous in size and required a large room for installation.
• Application - They were used for scientific applications as they were the fastest computing device of their time.
• Examples – UNIVersal Automatic Computer (UNIVAC), Electronic Numerical Integrator And Calculator (ENIAC), and Electronic Discrete Variable Automatic Computer (EDVAC).

The first generation of computers used vacuum tubes for circuitry and magnetic drums for memory. The input to the computer was through punched cards and paper tapes. The output was displayed as printouts.