Chapter 7: First Generation Computers
Introduction to First Generation Computers
The modern computer era began during World War II, driven by technological advancements in electronics. The development of electronic circuits, vacuum tubes, and capacitors replaced mechanical components, and digital calculations superseded analog methods. These innovations marked the first generation of computers (1946–1959), which laid the foundation for modern computing despite their limitations. This chapter explores their characteristics, history, key inventors, notable machines, advantages, disadvantages, and lasting impact.
Characteristics of First Generation Computers
First-generation computers were defined by their large size, high cost, and experimental nature, often experiencing frequent failures. They introduced key features of modern computing, though with significant limitations.
- Vacuum Tubes: Used for processing and memory, enabling electronic computation.
- Input/Output: Relied on punched cards for data and program input/output.
- Storage: Utilized magnetic drums for storing data and instructions.
- Power Consumption: Consumed large amounts of electricity, generating significant heat, requiring specialized air conditioning.
- Size: Enormous, often occupying entire rooms (e.g., ENIAC weighed 30 tons).
- Cost: Extremely expensive, costing around $10,000 or more, limiting access to institutions.
- Reliability: Prone to errors and hardware failures due to vacuum tube fragility.
History of First Generation Computers
The development of first-generation computers was a culmination of prior innovations, gaining momentum in the 20th century due to scientific and military needs. Charles Babbage’s Analytical Engine (1830s) provided early concepts for programmable machines and data storage, influencing later designs. The ENIAC (1946), the first electronic general-purpose computer, built on these ideas, followed by the UNIVAC I (1951), the first commercially produced computer. Key advancements included magnetic tape systems for data storage and error-checking mechanisms, paving the way for future generations.
Inventors of First Generation Computers
- Howard Aiken (1900–1973): Developed the Mark I (1944), an electromechanical computer, inspired by Babbage’s Analytical Engine. It performed addition/subtraction in tenths of seconds, multiplication in two seconds, and division in about four seconds.
- John Presper Eckert and John Mauchly: Built the ENIAC (1946) and later formed a company to create the UNIVAC I (1951), used for the 1950 U.S. Census. UNIVAC I introduced compilers for translating programs into machine language.
- John Vincent Atanasoff and Clifford Berry: Designed the Atanasoff-Berry Computer (ABC, 1942), the first automatic electronic digital computer, capable of solving systems of up to 29 linear equations.
- John von Neumann: Collaborated with Arthur W. Burks and Herman H. Goldstine to develop the stored-program concept, used in the EDVAC (1949). His work on binary arithmetic and logical design remains foundational to computer architecture.
Featured First Generation Computers
- Atanasoff-Berry Computer (ABC, 1937–1942): The first automatic electronic digital computer, developed by John Vincent Atanasoff and Clifford Berry. It solved linear equations with high accuracy but was not programmable.
- Mark I (1944): An electromechanical computer by Howard Aiken, measuring 15 meters long and 2.4 meters high, with 800,000 components and 804 km of wiring. It was slow but a significant milestone.
- ENIAC (1946): Built by Eckert and Mauchly, it weighed 30 tons, used 18,000 vacuum tubes, and performed 5,000 additions per second. Designed for military calculations, it was complex to program and energy-intensive.
- UNIVAC I (1951): The first commercial digital computer, also by Eckert and Mauchly, weighing 7,257 kg and using 5,000 vacuum tubes. It performed 1,000 calculations per second and was used for census and business applications.
Advantages of First Generation Computers
- Performed calculations in milliseconds, significantly faster than manual methods.
- Vacuum tubes enabled electronic digital computing, a major leap from mechanical systems.
- Laid the groundwork for programmable computers, influencing all subsequent designs.
Disadvantages of First Generation Computers
- Enormous size, weighing up to 30 tons and requiring large spaces.
- High cost, limiting access to governments and large institutions.
- Unreliable, with frequent vacuum tube failures requiring constant maintenance.
- High energy consumption, necessitating large cooling systems.
- Limited storage capacity due to magnetic drums.
- Complex programming, relying on punched cards and machine language.
- Low efficiency for modern computational needs.
Impact and Legacy of First Generation Computers
First-generation computers were pivotal in transitioning from mechanical to electronic computing, establishing core concepts like stored programs and binary arithmetic. They enabled significant scientific and military advancements, such as ballistic calculations and census processing. Despite their limitations, they spurred innovation, leading to the development of transistors and integrated circuits in later generations. The commercial success of UNIVAC I demonstrated the potential for computers in business, paving the way for the digital age.
Questions
Note: The provided content did not include explicit questions for this unit. The following questions are derived from the context to align with the format of previous chapters.
- What are first generation computers?
- What are the characteristics of first generation computers?
- What are the advantages of first generation computers?
- What are the disadvantages of first generation computers?
- Who were the key inventors of first generation computers?
- What are some notable first generation computers?
- How did first generation computers impact the development of modern computing?