The History of Computers :: Technology Computers Essays

The History of Computers To those of us that have gr take in up during the computer age, computers bet like a normal part of our everyday lives. The idea that only a few decades ago computers were virtually unheard of is inconceivable. Computers are now so essential that they basically run our society and the whole of the modern world. They track hurricanes, forecast the weather, predict natural disasters, control satellites and missiles and keep countries around the world in constant contact. The technology that revolves around the computer industry is forever changing and growing, becoming more advanced and doing things that seem beyond anyones wildest dreams. The development of computers during the finishing few decades is astronomical and could be one of the fastest developing inventions ever created. The dawn of the computer age can be traced back to the period of 1936 1945, when the startle computers were being built in several countries (Tom aselli vii). Although they came about as a result of the war, it is certainly safe to say they would have developed on their own in the business industry. Regardless, computer technology has grown by incredible leaps and bounds since the very beginning and as Barnes says, we have been living amidst the fastest technological revolution of all time (vii). Every couple of years something completely new and more advanced comes out and takes over the previous style of turnout and pretty much exterminate it as well. The technology is forever changing and constantly growing. There are so many technologies associated with the computer industry that its almost hard to keep track of. The technology that is most directly related to the greater society in this country at least is the individualised computer, or the PC. A personal computer can be defined as a computer built around a microprocessor for use by an individual, as in an office or at home or school. The PC, also k nown as the microcomputer, was developed from the semiconductor industry (Barnes 622). In 1968, Robert Noyce and Gordon Moore created Intel and started developing a photolithography method to put three components on a single chip (Barnes 622).