Discuss the back ground history of computers. With references

Answer 1

The history of computers can be traced back to the early 19th century, when the concept of a programmable machine was first proposed by Charles Babbage, an English mathematician and inventor. Babbage designed a series of mechanical calculating machines called the Difference Engine and the Analytical Engine, which are considered to be the first precursors to modern computers.

However, it was not until the mid-20th century that electronic computers were developed. The first electronic digital computer, known as the ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer), was completed in 1945 at the University of Pennsylvania. ENIAC was a massive machine that filled an entire room and consisted of thousands of vacuum tubes and switches.

Following the development of the ENIAC, the field of computing saw rapid advancements with the invention of the transistor in 1947 and the integrated circuit in 1958. These technologies allowed for the miniaturization of computers, leading to the development of smaller and more powerful machines.

The 1970s and 1980s saw the emergence of personal computers, such as the Apple II and the IBM PC, which brought computing power to the masses. The invention of the graphical user interface (GUI) by Xerox PARC in the 1970s further revolutionized the way people interacted with computers.

In the 1990s, the World Wide Web was introduced, connecting computers around the world and ushering in the era of the internet. This led to the development of new technologies such as cloud computing and smartphones, further expanding the capabilities of computers.

Today, computers are an integral part of modern society, used in a wide range of applications from business and education to entertainment and communication. The rapid advancement of technology continues to drive innovation in the field of computing, with new breakthroughs such as artificial intelligence and quantum computing pushing the boundaries of what is possible.

References:

1. Campbell-Kelly, Martin, and William Aspray. Computer: A History of the Information Machine. Basic Books, 2018.

2. Ceruzzi, Paul E. A History of Modern Computing. MIT Press, 1998.

3. Hally, Mike. Electronic Brains: Stories from the Dawn of the Computer Age. Granta Books, 2005.