History and Uses of Computer
© 2002 Vu Nguyen
<<->> It may not seem like it, but computers have been around for well
over a decade. The earliest form of a computer type mechanism was
invented as early as 1889. The inventor was Jacquard Loom. The invention
was the punch-card-type computer. This computer read in punched out
papers. The government quickly picked up on the like of this invention and
made good use of it. They also were as curious as everyone else who knew
of this breakthrough, and began funding for continuing
research/improvement of this invention. However, it wasn't until 1944,
that the first all-electronic calculator was invented by Howard
H. Aiken. This invention allowed for fast calculations of difficult
equations. The EDVAC was the next great accomplishment in the world of
computer technology. This was the Electronic Discrete Variable Automatic
Computer, and it was all thanks to John von Neumann. Naturally, once a
certain point is reached, the rate of technology improvement wheel barrels
down a slope and increases in speed. Thus, just a few years later in
1948, the transistor was created to greatly improve computers'
capabilities, and to allow for further improvement until as recent as
today. Up until today, the size of computers is still decreasing by the
day. Not only that, but computers are now more energy efficient and
reliable as ever.
<<->> When we speak of computers, nowadays, the Internet is
automatically linked to the subject. J.C.R. Licklider was the first
person to successfully write a series of memos through computers in
1962. In doing so, he fulfilled his vision of creating an Internet,
because before then, exchanging information of computers was
difficult. Reliant Internet operations, though, did not appear until
Leonard Kleinrock and Thomas Merrill Roberts came about in 1964 and
1965. Kleinrock's theory of writing messages in forms of packages instead
of circuits made way for Roberts to connect computers together by using
low speed dial-up telephone lines. By being able to link and/or connect
computers together, the computers' ability to relay information was
permitted. Roberts also put together a team to advance upon his
groundwork called DARPA. Their primary purpose was to make it easier to
transfer messages between computers without converting all the information
into packets, thereby creating electronic mail in 1972. This meant that
the Internet was put into the spotlight again. This time though, the goal
was to speed up the process of scientific procedures by furthering
communication and sharing information across the globe. President Dwight
D. Eisenhower became highly aware that the Internet could become a
powerful tool, and immediately had advancing in the Internet on a priority
status. Currently, the Internet is the heart of the Department of
Defense. From covert operations to communication and the blocking of
communication, this could not be done without the Internet, or without a
computer for that matter of fact.
<<->> Computers are linked to everyone in everyday life. From the time
we wake up to that loud and obnoxious alarm clock, to the time we turn on
the Cartoon Network to watch out favorite classic cartoons. When we drive
to work, nowadays, every newer model car is powered by a computer
system. Leaving work to go to the nearest grocery store, all the items
you purchase are marked by code, usually on a UPC bar code and scanned to
keep track of the store's inventory. At the pharmacy, the prescriptions
you pick up have been approved by your insurance through satellite and
Internet connections. Even at bedtime when you set your music system to
"sleep mode", in which you program your music to turn off on its own after
a certain amount of time, computer technology is at your
fingertips.
<<->> If anyone were asked to associate a few words to the word
computers, surely, most every answer would include the words future,
growth, tool, and communication. While the first computerized tool was
invented decades ago, computers still seem to be a way of life for the
future. Computer literacy is now an important part of every school and
business curriculum. The growth of the nation could very well be
synchronous with the growth of computers. The Internet definitely is
concurrent communication. The future of computers is being propelled into
3-D user interfaces and video communications. The possibilities of
computers seem to be limitless. There is no telling where computers would
ever really fail to be useful.