👉 Historical computing traces back to the early 20th century with mechanical calculators like Charles Babbage's Analytical Engine, which laid the groundwork for programmable machines. However, the first electronic computers emerged in the 1930s and 1940s, notably the ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer), developed during World War II to calculate artillery firing tables. The 1950s saw the advent of transistor-based computers, such as the UNIVAC I, which marked a significant shift from bulky vacuum tubes to smaller, more efficient components. The 1960s introduced the microprocessor, epitomized by the Intel 4004, which revolutionized computing by integrating a complete processor on a single chip, leading to the development of personal computers like the Apple II and IBM PC. This era also saw the rise of software, with programming languages evolving from assembly to high-level languages like FORTRAN and COBOL. The late 20th century brought the internet age, transforming computing from isolated machines to interconnected networks, and the modern era continues with advancements in cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and quantum computing, each building on the foundational innovations of earlier decades.
