Computing
The Transistor and the Miniaturization of Circuits
First demonstrated at Bell Labs in December 1947, the transistor replaced vacuum tubes in many roles and made electronics smaller, sturdier and far less power-hungry.
Technology area
Computing
Calculating is an ancient need; automating calculation is an achievement of the twentieth century. The computing area gathers mechanical calculators, the first computers, transistors, integrated circuits, programming languages, and the arrival of computing in homes and offices.
Articles
Computing
Integrated Circuits and the Expansion of Electronics
In 1958 and 1959, Jack Kilby and Robert Noyce found ways to build a whole circuit in one piece of semiconductor, ending the hand-wiring of components.
Computing
From Mechanical Calculators to the First Computers
From the 17th century to 1951, mechanical calculators, punched cards and wartime projects led to the first electronic computers and the stored program.
Computing
The Evolution of Programming Languages
From numeric machine codes to FORTRAN, COBOL, C and Java, a history of how programming grew closer to human reasoning.
Computing
The Popularization of the Personal Computer
Microprocessors, build-it-yourself kits, spreadsheets, the IBM PC and graphical interfaces carried the computer from large institutions to desks and living rooms.
Milestones
- 1946
ENIAC shown to the public
The electronic computer ENIAC, built at the University of Pennsylvania, is presented in February 1946.
Read: First computers → - 1947
The transistor at Bell Labs
John Bardeen and Walter Brattain demonstrate the point-contact transistor. William Shockley soon proposes the junction transistor.
Read: Transistor → - 1957
FORTRAN
IBM makes FORTRAN available, one of the first widely used high-level programming languages.
Read: Programming languages → - 1958–1959
The integrated circuit
Jack Kilby of Texas Instruments demonstrates an integrated circuit in 1958. Robert Noyce of Fairchild proposes a planar silicon version in 1959.
Read: Integrated circuits → - 1977
Ready-to-use microcomputers
The Apple II, Commodore PET, and TRS-80 reach the market in 1977, aimed at homes and small businesses.
Read: Personal computer → - 1981
The IBM PC
IBM launches the PC, whose relatively open architecture encourages clones and third-party software.
Read: Personal computer →