Over time, technologies have constantly evolved, from the first man-made tools from stone and wood, the use of metals, and the discovery of new techniques and tools for agricultural tillage, to satellites, wireless technologies, biotechnology, artificial intelligence, among many other technological advances that modify our environment every day.
The mathematical element, present throughout the history
As far as mathematical calculation is concerned, the first known instrument is the abacus. A rustic object made of wood that was used to perform simple mathematical operations.
In 1642 the French scientist Blaise Pascal (1623-1662) built the first mechanical calculating machine. This calculator had the ability to add and subtract. “La Pascalina”, as she was called, was built by Pascal to help her father with his chores.
Entering the Beginnings of Automation
In 1805 the French mechanic and industrialist Joseph Marie Jacquard (1752-1834), managed to automate the process of spinning a loom, this was achieved through the use of perforated cardstock that told the needles how to form the thread.
Jacquard achieved automation by making the lab machine understand the perforations contained in each cardboard card. The awl was actually a pattern, a path or guide, that the needles had to follow. This invention revolutionized the textile industry.
Origins of Programming for Mathematical Calculations
Another visionary, Charles Babbage (1791-1871), an English mathematician and scientist, designed in 1822 a difference engine with the ability to solve mathematical problems related to polynomial functions, which incorporated Jacquard concepts into programming.
However, years later he designed another device called the Analytical Engine with the aim of being able to solve any type of mathematical calculation, and here again he incorporated the ideas of programming using punched cards.
Due to its technological design and processing power (it added, subtracted, multiplied, divided, and could be programmed), Babbage’s analytical engine is considered to be the first computer in history.
Like the 1890 census in the United States, it led to the invention of a machine
As early as 1890, the large amount of data being processed in the U.S. national census became a problem, and the U.S. government estimated that the process of sorting the data would take about ten years.
Trying to shorten the time in classifying the information, the government resorted to a tabulating machine, which worked with an electric system of punched cards, and thus managed to complete the entire census process in about two and a half years.
The machine had been invented shortly before the census by Herman Hollerith (1860-1929), who worked for the Census Bureau from 1879 to 1882.
Computer Generations
There is a classification that groups computers according to the era and type of technology they implemented, with the eighth generation being the most recent.
First generation (1946-1958)
For this generation, computers built between 1944 and 1947 that had these characteristics are taken into account:
- They had vacuum tubes in their mechanism that, in the face of the increase in temperature, caused the machine to produce errors.
- Excessively large wiring.
- They were externally programmed, and the memory consisted of magnetic drums.
- As for the software, it was used exclusively in machine language.
Second generation (1958-1965)
At that time, the evaluation of the machines was remarkable, considering the preceding one. Some features of this generation are:
- Transistors replace tubes.
- The size of the machines decreases drastically by about 50%.
- Programming is internal.
- Processing speed can be measured in microseconds.
- Some high-level languages are beginning to be used.
Third generation (1965-1970)
- The most noticeable change occurs in the size of the equipment, which is continuously reduced in weight and measurements.
- The microtransistor replaces the transistor.
- Memory management remains internal through the use of cores.
- Processing speed is still measured in microseconds.
- The concept of the Operating System emerges.
Fourth generation (1971-1980)
- The processing speed keeps getting better and the size keeps shrinking.
- Integrated circuits replace microtransistors.
- Process speed is measured in nanoseconds
.
- We started working with multiprogramming.
Fifth generation (1980-1990)
- This generation was born when the U.S. and Japan promise to produce a new generation of computers.
- The processing architecture emulates the neural networks of the human brain.
- It makes extensive use of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
- Connect devices and networks of different types and from remote locations.
- The multimedia environment, integration of data, images and voice, is already considered a standard in this type of machine.
Sixth generation (1990-1998)
- Constant interaction with internet services, wireless connection with devices and 5G
- Implementation of parallel architectures
- Expansion in storage capacity
- Reducing component size and increasing performance:
- Artificial Intelligence Implementation
Seventh generation (1999-present)
- LCD flat panel 2
- High-density data with a storage capacity of up to 50 GB
- Smaller and more versatile
- Solid Hard Drives or M.2 Hard Drives
- AI-intensive automation and virtual assistant
We even come up with this incredible story from its origins, to the present day in the year 2024. We invite you to visit the website internetsettings.online, where you will find more articles like this one.