First Generation (1940 - 1956): Vacuum Tubes
Computer Fundamentals > History of Computer > Computer Generations
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Answer:
First generation computers were vacuum tubes/thermionic valves-based machines.These computers used vacuum tubes for circuitry and magnetic drums for memory. A 'magnetic drum' is a metal cylin-der coated with magnetic iron-oxide material on which data and programs can be stored. The input was based on punched cards and paper tape and the output was in the form of printouts.First generation computers relied on binary-coded language also called 'machine language' (lan-guage of 0s and 1s) to perform operations and were able to solve only one problem at a time. These were the fastest computing devices of their times (computation time was in milliseconds). However, each machine was fed with different binary codes and were difficult to program. This resulted in lack of versatility and speed. Moreover, since thousands of vacuum tubes were used, they generated a large amount of heat. Therefore, air conditioning was essential. In addition, to run on different types of com-puters, instructions must be rewritten or recompiled. Some examples of first generation computers are ENIAC, EDVAC and UNIVAC.
Electronic Numerical Integrator And Computer (ENIAC)
The Electronic Numerical Integrator And Computer (ENIAC) was one of the first general-purpose electronic digital computers. It was developed during World War II (1943-1946) by John W. Mauchly and J. Presper Eckert of the University of Pennsylvania. The ENIAC was designed to calculate artillery firing tables for the United States Army's Ballistic Research Laboratory.
The ENIAC was a large and complex machine, taking up around 1,800 square feet of space and weighing over 30 tons. It used about 18,000 vacuum tubes, 70,000 resistors, 10,000 capacitors, and around 5 million hand-soldered joints. It was also incredibly power-hungry, consuming around 160 kW of electricity.
The ENIAC was able to perform a wide range of calculations, including addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, as well as more complex calculations such as logarithms and trigonometric functions. It could also perform conditional branching operations and could be programmed using plugboard switches.
The ENIAC was not a stored-program computer, meaning that the instructions to be executed were hardwired into the machine using patch cables and switches. It was also not a general-purpose computer, it was designed to solve a specific type of problem.
Despite its limitations, the ENIAC was a significant achievement in the history of computing and laid the foundation for future generations of computers. It was officially unveiled in 1945 and was used for various calculations until it was decommissioned in 1955.
summary of some of the key characteristics and capabilities of the ENIAC in table format:
| Characteristic | Description |
|---|---|
| Developed by | John W. Mauchly and J. Presper Eckert of the University of Pennsylvania |
| Developed during | World War II (1943-1946) |
| Purpose | To calculate artillery firing tables for the United States Army's Ballistic Research Laboratory |
| Size | Took up around 1,800 square feet of space and weighing over 30 tons |
| Components | Used about 18,000 vacuum tubes, 70,000 resistors, 10,000 capacitors, and around 5 million hand-soldered joints |
| Power consumption | Consumed around 160 kW of electricity |
| Calculation capabilities | Addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, logarithms, trigonometric functions, conditional branching operations |
| Programming | Programmed using plugboard switches |
| Type | Not a stored-program computer, not a general-purpose computer |
| Unveiled | 1945 |
| Decommissioned | 1955 |
It's worth noting that this is not an exhaustive list of all the features and characteristics of the ENIAC and the information that's available about it, but it provides a general overview of some of the key elements of the machine
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