By Rebecca Blain of http://www.build-your-own-computer-tips.comWhile computers are now an important part of
lives of human beings, there was a time where computers did not exist. Knowing history of computers and how much progression has been made can help you understand just how complicated and innovative creation of computers really is.
Unlike most devices, computer is one of few inventions that does not have one specific inventor. Throughout development of computer, many people have added their creations to list required to make a computer work. Some of inventions have been different types of computers, and some of them were parts required to allow computers to be developed further.
The Beginning
Perhaps most significant date in history of computers is year 1936. It was in this year that first "computer" was developed. It was created by Konrad Zuse and dubbed Z1 Computer. This computer stands as first as it was first system to be fully programmable. There were devices prior to this, but none had computing power that sets it apart from other electronics.It wasn't until 1942 that any business saw profit and opportunity in computers. This first company was called ABC computers, owned and operated by John Atanasoff and Clifford Berry. Two years later, Harvard Mark I computer was developed, furthering science of computing.
Over course of next few years, inventors all over world began to search more into study of computers, and how to improve upon them. Those next ten years say introduction of transistor, which would become a vital part of inner workings of computer, ENIAC 1 computer, as well as many other types of systems. The ENIAC 1 is perhaps one of most interesting, as it required 20,000 vacuum tubes to operate. It was a massive machine, and started revolution to build smaller and faster computers.
The age of computers was forever altered by introduction of International Business Machines, or IBM, into computing industry in 1953. This company, over course of computer history, has been a major player in development of new systems and servers for public and private use. This introduction brought about first real signs of competition within computing history, which helped to spur faster and better development of computers. Their first contribution was IBM 701 EDPM Computer.
A Programming Language Evolves
A year later, first successful high level programming language was created. This was a programming language not written in 'assembly' or binary, which are considered very low level languages. FORTRAN was written so that more people could begin to program computers easily.The year 1955, Bank of America, coupled with Stanford Research Institute and General Electric, saw creation of first computers for use in banks. The MICR, or Magnetic Ink Character Recognition, coupled with actual computer, ERMA, was a breakthrough for banking industry. It wasn't until 1959 that pair of systems were put into use in actual banks.
During 1958, one of most important breakthroughs in computer history occurred, creation of integrated circuit. This device, also known as chip, is one of base requirements for modern computer systems. On every motherboard and card within a computer system, are many chips that contain information on what boards and cards do. Without these chips, systems as we know them today cannot function.
