Evolution of computers

The Evolution of Computer Technology

Introduction

Fifty years ago, the U.S Army unveiled the Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer the world’s first operational, general purpose, electronic digital computer developed at Moore School of electrical Engineering, University of Pennsylvania. Of the many scientific developments spurred by World War II, the Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computers ranks one of the most influential and persuasive.

Hardware

• Processors

In 1971, responding to a request for a chip for a new calculator, and incredible overkill, Intel built the worlds first single chip general-purpose microprocessor. The 4-bit Intel 4004 ran at a clock speed of 108 kHz and contained 2300 transistors. It processed data in 4 bits, but its instructions were 8 bits long. The 4004 addressed up to 1KB of program memory and up to 4 Kb data memory (as separate entities). It had sixteen 4-bit ( or eight 8 bit ) general purpose registers, and an instructi...