Past, Present, and Future of Computers - Literature review Example

Past, Present, and Future: Computers Introduction Computers have become a key figure in the modern world and revolutionized it in somany ways. I have been having a computer since 1990’s and I have seen the changes which it has undergone. Ever since the discovery of the first computer, a lot has changed since then (Castella, 2014). Nowadays, computers have become the cornerstone of development in all sectors of the economy. To date, I believe there are over 10 million computers in the house in various households. In the 21st century, may people have come to be dependent on the functions performed by computers. Computers have managed to carry out a number of tasks hence simplifying some manual roles (Castella, 2014). Currently, I usually use my computer for surfing the internet, typing my assignments, playing games, communicating with my friends through social media, playing music, watching movies, designing websites among other functions. Barely a day passes without me touching and using some of the functions of my computer. In the advanced countries, computers have become a basic right for every student to have the basic skills in operating it (Castella, 2014). It is estimated that in the near future, computers will be tasked with many roles hence making the world an efficient place to leave. In this essay, I will be discussing about the changes which computers have undergone from the past, present and future changes likely to occur. Past Computers According to a statement by Bill Gates during the launching of the first IBM computer, Bill Gates said, “Computers are the future of human kind” (Hersan, 2014). I have seen various generations of computers since I was a child and I have appreciated some of the functions performed by them. The first generation of computers was developed by 1936 by a man called Konrad Zuse. The first computer was given the name Z1. Anyway, throughout history, no specific person is attributed to have created the computer since there were so many people that added up to ensure the computer is like it is today. There were various creators of the various parts which make up a computer in whole (Hersan, 2014). The various parts of the computers were improved from time to time, hence making the compute faster as it moved from one generation to the next. After Zuse’s invention, it was not till 1942 that people discovered that computers could have profitable use. Since then, computers started to be studied immensely, various inventors coming together to create the masterpiece which it is in the present. Building the various computers of the computers took many years as different inventors took different times (Hersan, 2014). It was not until 1953, that IBM introduced the face of computers hence changing everything. For those who had believed that was a breakthrough, in 1958, an integrated circuit was created. This was the best invention ever created as it what revolutionized the computers to be what they are today. Without the given device, computers would not have been what we know today. The creation of this piece is what led to the creation of the first generation (Hersan, 2014). This generation existed between 1946 to 1958 and was commonly referred to “the vacuum tube years” (Hersan, 2014). The computers were characterized by being very slow and had very little functions to perform. In addition, their operating instructions were made so as to order specific tasks that the computer had been made to do. Therefore, each computer had its own binary coded program. This program is what is referred to as machine language by many. At that time, computer used to be very difficult to program language for them and also to operate them. Their use hence became limited to specific functions and had slow speed of processing information (Hersan, 2014). Second Generation computers on the other hand resulted when the vacuum tube technology became faced away by the transistor technology (Friedman, 2009). This enabled inventors to place many pieces inside the computer. In 1959, the invention of the floppy disk came to being hence enabling people to store and transfer data from one given unconnected computer. Later, the mouse was invented in 1964. The transistor technology provided space for the computer companies to shrink the size of the computer to a smaller size than that of first generation computers. In the 1960’s, a number of commercially second generation computers came into use as they found functions in businesses, government offices and universities (Friedman, 2009). The computers of this era did contain various devices which we can normally find in the present computers. Such devices include disk storage, operating systems, memory, printers, and stored programs. The best example of such a computer is IBM 1401, that received universal acceptance during that time. The third generation of computers emanated after the quartz rock invention. The quartz rock was useful in that it helped reduce the amount of heat generated by the transistors inside the computers. Basically, invention of a semi-conductor’s function in the computer plus the operating system use revolutionized the computers in that era to become third generation (Friedman, 2009). At the end of the 1970’s to early 80’s, quite a lot of computers had gotten some use in people’s homes. This is the place when Microsoft made an invention of MS-DOS that was easy and made everyone learn how to use computers. IBM introduced its PC, while in 1984, Macintosh came to place. The Macintosh offered a user friendly interphase for its users through provision of screen icons that aided in typing and maneuvering (Friedman, 2009). As time passed by, new programs and operating systems came into place and computers started becoming more and more efficient for use. Present Computers Computers have taken over our day to day life as they have become part of the human working environment. Everywhere you go today, it is likely that you will meet with a computer in every business and government institutions (Kelly, 2014). Ever since the invention of the laptop, quite a lot has changed in regard to the functionality of computer. In the 1990’s, people used to have big desktops which were not portable, but with the essence of convenience at hand, the laptop invention revolutionized that part. Computers have made life easier through managing some of your work stuff. I have for instance accounting software that has made computing and making accounting statements much faster. In addition, every day as I wake up, I have a reminder software in my laptop that reminds me of the major events and programs that I have for the day. Every day, I must at least spend 2 to 3 hours surfing the internet or in the social media chatting with friends (Friedman, 2009). Computers have become an interesting place for one to take his problems and will be happy in no time. I sometimes use my computers to watch movies and play music for my friends when they come to visit. In addition, with the webcam system invented in various computers, people have been able to record videos of themselves or communicate via live chat systems like Skype hence connecting people. If a person who had lived during the first generation computers was brought into 2014, he would literary collapse and die since in only just 50 years, a lot has been made in technological advancement to be where we are now (Friedman, 2009). At one point in time, I used to attend an online class at a private university, 5000 kilometers from where I stay. We currently live in a world where computers have virtually taken over some of our functions and made them easier. I cannot imagine the days when people would physically got to the library, search for hours for books in order to find a perfect reading material (Friedman, 2009). Today, with the invention of internet service, finding and researching for a specific thing has been made easier. Future Computers Future computers are postulated to be faster than what we currently have. In addition, future computers are expected to be incorporated as robots and be able to communicate with human beings on a one to one level. Computers will be in charge of teaching people, marking, teaching and grading assignments (Friedman, 2009). Furthermore, one would not require the role of a teacher in future when computers would hold all the necessary information that one requires to get at the click of a button. Conclusion Computers have undergone various advancements to become what they are now. Many have been able to find computers useful in their day to day activities and incorporated them as part of a working schedule (Friedman, 2009). In looking at how computers developed, much can be learnt that it took a long time to be where it is currently. I always love my computer and believe that one day it will advance to a better state. References Castella, T. d. (2014). HS2: 12 arguments for and against. BBC News , 30. Friedman, A. M. (2009). Research on Technology in Social Studies Education. New York: IAP. Hersan, T. (2014). An Argument For Technology. Retrieved November 19, 2014, from Thiago Hersan: http://www.thiagohersan.com/ Kelly, K. (2014). Arguments Against Technology. Retrieved November 19, 2014, from Insight Center:Leading Innovation: HBR.org King, W. (2013, June 17). Technology and the Future. Carlifonia, United States Of America . (King, 2013) Read More