The history of the development of computers: the main milestones. Development of an automated information system for document management of a medical institution

At the dawn of computing machines, it was believed that their main purpose was computing. Attempts to create computers were made in ancient times. So, for example, the great scientist Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519) drew up sketches of a summing machine on cogwheels. Specialists from the IBM company created such a machine from sketches and were convinced of its performance.
In 1641-1642. Nineteen-year-old Blaise Pascal (1623-1662), then a little-known French scientist, creates a working computer. The machine could add and subtract decimal numbers.
In 1673, another great European, the German scientist V.G. Leibniz (1646-1716), created a calculating machine for adding and multiplying twelve-digit decimal numbers. He added a stepped roller to the cogwheels, allowing multiplication and division.

The first generation of computers The advent of the electronic vacuum tube made it possible to implement the idea of ​​creating a computer. It appeared in 1946 in the USA for solving problems and was named ENIAK (Electronic Numerical Integrator and Calculator, translated as "electronic numerical integrator and calculator"). From it began the countdown of the path along which the development of computers began. The ENIAC computer had 20 thousand electronic tubes, of which 2000 were replaced monthly. In one second, the machine performed 300 multiplication operations or 5000 additions of multidigit numbers.
The first domestic computer was created in 1951 under the leadership of Academician S. A. Lebedev, and it was called MESM (small electronic calculating machine). Then BESM-1 and BESM-2 (large electronic calculating machine) are put into operation. The most powerful computer in the 50s in Europe was the Soviet computer M-20 with a speed of 20 thousand op / s, the volume of RAM is 4000 machine words. Computers of the first generation were successfully used to solve scientific and technical problems, in particular, in the field of space research.


Electronic computer BESM-1

Second generation computer In the 60s of the 20th century, the transistor was invented, which replaced vacuum tubes. This made it possible to change the electronic base of the computer to semiconductor elements (transistors, diodes), as well as resistors and capacitors of a more advanced design. One transistor replaced 40 electronic tubes, worked at a higher speed, was cheaper and more reliable. Its average lifespan was 1,000 times that of electronic tubes. The technology of connecting the element base has also changed. The first printed circuit boards made of insulating material, such as getinax, appeared, on which a special photomontage technology made it possible to apply a conductive material. To fix the element base, there were special sockets on them. Such a formal replacement of one type of elements for another significantly influenced all the characteristics of a computer: dimensions, reliability, productivity, operating conditions, programming style and work on the machine, etc. The technological process of computer manufacturing has changed. The second generation includes computers Minsk-22, Minsk-32, BESM-6, CDC6600. Performance: up to 1 million operations per second.


Electronic computer BESM-6

Third generation computer In the 70s of the 20th century, integrated circuits appeared. Such circuits can contain tens, hundreds or thousands of transistors and other elements that are physically inseparable. The first computer based on integrated circuits was the IBM-360 by IBM (International Busines Machine). It laid the foundation for a large series of models, the name of which began with IBM, followed by a number. Similar computers began to be produced in the CMEA countries (Council for Mutual Economic Assistance). Two families of computers were produced:

large - ES EVM (unified system), for example, EU - 1022, EU - 1035, EU - 1065;

small - SM computer (system of small), for example SM - 2, SM - 3, SM - 4. Productivity: hundreds of thousands - millions of operations per second. The amount of memory has increased. The magnetic drum is gradually being replaced by magnetic disks, made in the form of self-contained packages. Displays, plotters appeared.


Electronic computer IBM-360

The fourth generation of computers This period is characterized by all kinds of innovations leading to significant changes. However, no cardinal, revolutionary changes allowing to speak about the change of computer generations have yet taken place. One of the most important ideas should be especially noted: several processors are used simultaneously to process information (multiprocessor processing). New technologies for creating integrated circuits made it possible to develop in the late 70s - early 80s fourth-generation computers based on large integrated circuits (LSI), the degree of integration of which is tens and hundreds of thousands of elements on one crystal. The largest shift in electronic computing, associated with the use of LSIs, was the creation of microprocessors. The first microprocessor was created by Intel in 1971. On one crystal, it was possible to form a processor with the minimum composition of the equipment, containing 2250 transistors. One of the most important events in the history of computing is associated with the advent of the microprocessor - the creation and use of personal computers, which even influenced the terminology. The name of the computer has now been replaced by the familiar word for everything - computer. In 1977, Apple Computer launched the production of Apple personal computers (from the English. Apple). This type of computer was based on the principle of creating a "friendly" environment for a person on a computer software, one of the main requirements has become a user-friendly experience. The computer turned to face the man. Its further improvement was taking into account the convenience of the user.


Apple personal computer
If earlier, during the operation of computers, the principle of centralized information processing was implemented, when users were concentrated around one computer, then with the advent of personal computers, a reverse movement took place - decentralization, when one user can work with several computers. In 1984, IBM developed a personal computer based on an Intel 80286 microprocessor with an Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) bus. Since that time, fierce competition among several corporations for the production of personal computers began. The race to find more and more perfect technical characteristics of all computer devices continues to this day. Every year a fundamental modification of the existing model is required. A common feature of the IBM PC family is software compatibility from the bottom up and the principle of an open architecture, which provides the ability to supplement existing hardware without replacing old ones or modifying them without replacing the entire computer. Modern computers surpass computers of previous generations in compactness, great capabilities and accessibility for different categories of users. Fourth generation computers are evolving in two directions. The first direction is the creation of multiprocessor computing systems. The second is the creation of cheap personal computers, both desktop and portable, and on their basis - computer networks.

When did the first computers appear? It is not so easy to answer this question, since there is no single correct classification of electronic computers, as well as formulations of what can be attributed to them and what cannot.

First mention

The word "computer" itself was first documented in 1613 and meant a person who performs calculations. But in the 19th century, people realized that a machine never gets tired of working, and it can do work much faster and more accurately.

To begin the countdown of the era of computers, the year 1822 is most often taken. The first computer was invented by the English mathematician Charles Babbage. He conceived the concept and proceeded to build a difference engine, which is considered the first automatic device for computing. She was able to count multiple sets of numbers and print the results. But, unfortunately, due to funding problems, Babbage was never able to complete its full version.

But the mathematician did not give up, and in 1837 he introduced the first mechanical computer, called the analytical machine. It was the very first general purpose computer. At the same time, his collaboration with Ada Lovelace began. She translated and supplemented his works, and also made the first programs for his invention.

The analytical engine consisted of the following parts: an arithmetic logic unit, an integrated memory unit, and a device for monitoring data movement. Due to financial difficulties, it was also not completed during the life of the scientist. But Babbage's circuits and designs helped other scientists who built the first computers.

Almost 100 years later

Oddly enough, for a whole century, computing machines have hardly advanced in their development. In 1936-1938 the German scientist Konrad Zuse created the Z1, the first electromechanical programmable binary computer. Then, in 1936, Alan Turing built a Turing machine.

It became the basis for further theories about computers. The machine emulated the actions of a person following a list of logical directions, and printed the result of the work on paper tape. Zuse and Turing devices are the first computers in the modern sense, without which the computers we are used to today would not have appeared.

Everything for the front

The Second World War also influenced the development of computers. In December 1943, Tommy Flowers introduced a classified machine called the Collos, which helped British agents break the ciphers of German messages. It was the first fully electric programmable computer. The general public learned about its existence only in the 70s. Since then, computers have attracted the attention of not only scientists, but also the defense ministries, which actively supported and financed their development.

There is a lot of controversy about which digital computer to count first. In 1937-1942, University of Iowa professor John Vincent Atanasov and Cliff Berry (graduate student) developed their ABC computer. And in 1943-1946 J. Presper Eckert and D. Mauchly, scientists at the University of Pennsylvania, built the most powerful ENIAC weighing 50 tons. Thus, Atanasov and Berry created their machine before, but since it was never fully functional, ENIAC often gets the title of "very first computer".

First commercial samples

With their enormous dimensions and complexity of design, computers were available only to the military departments and large universities, which assembled them on their own. But already in 1942 K. Zuse began work on the fourth version of his brainchild - Z4, and in July 1950 he sold it to the Swedish mathematician Eduard Stieffel.

And the first computers, which began to be produced in large quantities, are models with the laconic name 701, produced by IBM on April 7, 1953. A total of 19701 units were sold. Of course, these were still machines intended only for large institutions. In order to become really massive, they needed a few more important improvements.

So, in 1955, on March 8, the "Whirlwind" was launched - a computer that was originally conceived during the Second World War as a simulator for pilots, but by the time of its creation arrived in time by the beginning of the Cold War. Then it became the basis for the development of SAGE, an air defense subsystem designed to automatically target interceptor aircraft. The key features of the "Vortex" are the availability of 512 bytes of RAM and the display of graphic information on the screen in real time.

Technique to the masses

The TX-O computer, introduced in 1956 at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, was the first to use transistors. This made it possible to greatly reduce the cost and dimensions of the equipment.

Then the team of scientists who developed the TX-O left the institute, founded the Digital Equipment Corporation and in 1960 introduced the PDP-1 computer, which began the era of minicomputers. They were no more than one room or even a closet, and were intended for a wider range of clients.

Well, the first desktop computers began to be produced by Hewlett Packard in 1968.

They appeared after the Second World War, when the discoveries of mathematicians and other scientists made it possible to implement a new way of reading information. And although today these machines seem to be outlandish artifacts, it was they who became the progenitors of the modern PCs familiar to the average person.

Manchester "Mark I" and EDSAC

The first computer in the modern sense of the word was the Mark I device, created in 1949. Its uniqueness lay in the fact that it was completely electronic, and a program was stored in its RAM. This achievement of British specialists was a great leap forward in the centuries-old history of the development of computers. The Manchester Mark I included Williams' pipes and magnetic drums, which served as a repository for information.

Today, many years later, the history of the creation of the first computer is controversial. The question of which machine can be called the first computer remains controversial. The Manchester Mark I remains the most popular version, although there are other contenders. One of them is EDSAC. Without this machine, the history of the emergence of the computer as an invention would be completely different. If "Mark" appeared in Manchester, then EDSAC was created by scientists from the University of Cambridge. This computer entered service in May 1949. Then the first program was executed on it, which squared the numbers from 0 to 99.

Z4

The Manchester Mark I and EDSAC were dedicated to specific programs. The next step in the evolution of computing was the Z4. Last but not least, the device was distinguished by a dramatic history of creation. The computer was created by the German engineer Konrad Zuse. Work on the project began at the final stage. This circumstance greatly slowed down this development. Zuse's laboratory was destroyed during an enemy air raid. Together with her, all the equipment and the preliminary results of long-term work were lost.

Nevertheless, the talented engineer did not give up. Manufacturing was continued after the onset of peace. In 1950, the project was finally completed. The history of its creation turned out to be long and thorny. The computer immediately became interested in the Swiss Higher Technical School. She bought the car. Z4 interested specialists for a reason. The computer had universal programming, that is, it was the first multifunctional device of this type.

In the same 1950, the history of the creation of computers in the USSR was marked by an equally important event. At the Kiev Institute of Electrical Engineering, MESM was created - a small electronic calculating machine. A group of Soviet scientists, led by Academician Sergei Lebedev, worked on the project.

The device of this machine included six thousand electric lamps. The high power made it possible to take on tasks that were previously unheard of for Soviet technology. The device could perform about three thousand operations per second.

Commercial models

At the first stage of the development of computers, specialists from universities or other government agencies were engaged in their development. In 1951, the LEO I model appeared, created thanks to investments of the British private company Lyons and Company, which owned restaurants and shops. With the advent of this device, the history of the creation of computers has reached another important milestone. LEO I was the first to be used for commercial data processing. Its design was similar to that of the conceptual predecessor EDSAC.

The first American commercial computer was UNIVAC I. It appeared in the same 1951 year. A total of forty-six of these models were sold, each costing a million dollars. One of them was used in the US census. The device consisted of more than five thousand vacuum tubes. Delay lines made of mercury were used as the information carrier. One of them could store up to a thousand words. When developing UNIVAC I, it was decided to abandon punched cards and switch to metallized magnetic tape. With its help, the device could connect to commercial storage systems.

"Arrow"

Meanwhile, the Soviet electronic had its own history of creation. The Strela computer, which appeared in 1953, became the first such serial device in the USSR. The novelty was produced on the basis of the Moscow plant of calculating and analytical machines. For three years of production, eight samples were made. These unique machines were installed at the Academy of Sciences, Moscow State University and design bureaus located in closed cities.

"Arrow" could perform 2-3 thousand operations per second. For domestic equipment, these were record numbers. The data was stored on magnetic tape, which held up to 200,000 words. The developers of the device were awarded the Chief Designer Yuri Bazilevsky and also became the Hero of Socialist Labor.

Second generation computer

Back in 1947, transistors were invented. In the late 50s. they replaced energy-consuming and fragile lamps. With the advent of transistors in computers, a new history of creation began. Computers that received these new parts were later recognized as second generation models. The main innovation was that printed circuit boards and transistors made it possible to significantly reduce the size of computers, which made them much more practical and convenient.

Whereas computers used to occupy entire rooms, now they have shrunk to the proportions of office desks. This, for example, was the model IBM 650. But even transistors did not solve another important problem. Computers were still extremely expensive, which meant that they were only made to order for universities, large corporations or governments.

Further evolution of computers

Integrated circuits were invented in 1959. They marked the beginning of the third generation of computers. 1960s became a turning point for computers. Their production and sales have increased significantly. New parts made the devices cheaper and more affordable, although they were still not personal. Most of these computers were bought by companies.

In 1971, Intel developers launched the first-ever microprocessor on the market. On its basis, computers of the fourth generation appeared. Microprocesses solved several important problems, hitherto hidden in the device of any computer. One such detail performed all the logical and arithmetic operations that were written using machine code. Prior to this discovery, this function lay on many small elements. The emergence of a single universal part was the foreshadowing of the development of small home computers.

Personal computers

In 1977, Apple, founded by Steve Jobs, introduced the Apple II to the world. Its fundamental difference from any other previous computers was that the device of a young Californian company was intended for sale to ordinary citizens. It was a breakthrough that, until quite recently, seemed simply unheard of. This is how the history of the creation of personal computers of the computer generation began. The novelty was in demand until the 90s. During this period, about seven million devices were sold, which was an absolute record for that time.

Subsequent Apple models received a unique graphical interface, a keyboard familiar to modern users, and many other innovations. All the same made the computer mouse popular a little. In 1984, he presented his most successful Macintosh model, which laid the foundation for a whole line that still exists today. Many of the discoveries of Apple engineers and developers have become the basis for today's personal computers, including those created by other manufacturers.

Domestic developments

Due to the fact that all the revolutionary discoveries related to computers took place in the West, the history of the creation of computers in Russia and the USSR remained in the shadow of foreign successes. This was also due to the fact that the development of such machines was controlled by the state, while in Europe and the USA the initiative gradually passed into the hands of private companies.

In 1964, the first Soviet semiconductor computers "Sneg" and "Vesna" appeared. In the 1970s. Elbrus computers were used in the defense industry. They were used in the missile defense system and nuclear centers.