-
The first computers, used between 1940 and 1956, were huge machines that used vacuum tubes, got very hot, needed a lot of electricity, were slow and hard to use, and were mostly used by scientists and the military to do math and store information.
-
Vacuum tubes are electronic devices that control the flow of electric current in a vacuum. They were widely used in computers and amplifiers before the invention of the transistor. -
The second generation of computers (1956–1963) used transistors instead of vacuum tubes, so they were smaller, faster, didn’t get as hot, used less electricity, and were easier to use, helping in schools, businesses, and science.
-
Transistors are semiconductor devices used to amplify or switch electronic signals and electrical power. They replaced vacuum tubes due to their smaller size, lower cost, higher reliability, and energy efficiency. Today, they are fundamental components in computers, smartphones, and nearly all modern electronic devices. -
The third generation of computers (1964–1971) used tiny chips called integrated circuits, which made computers even smaller, faster, cheaper, and more reliable, so more people and companies could use them for work and learning.
-
Integrated circuits (ICs) are tiny chips that contain thousands or even millions of transistors and other components on a single piece of semiconductor. They allowed electronics to become smaller, faster, and cheaper, powering modern computers -
The fourth generation of computers (1971–present) uses microprocessors, which are tiny chips that can do many things fast, making computers small, powerful, cheap, and easy to use at home, in school, and everywhere.
-
Microprocessors are complete central processing units (CPUs) integrated onto a single chip. Invented in the 1970s, they revolutionized computing by enabling personal computers, embedded systems, and modern digital devices, forming the “brains” of nearly all electronics today. -
A personal computer (PC) is a general-purpose computer designed for individual use. PCs provide the hardware and software foundation that enables applications like AI, productivity tools, and gaming, making advanced computing accessible to everyone. -
The fifth generation of computers (from the 1980s to today) focuses on smart computers that can think, learn, and understand, using artificial intelligence to help people in many ways, like robots, voice assistants, and smart apps.
-
Artificial Intelligence (AI) uses computers to perform tasks that normally require human intelligence, such as learning, reasoning, and decision-making. Modern computers provide the processing power and memory needed to run AI applications like voice assistants, self-driving cars, and smart devices.