technology |
languages
& applications |
how computers
were used |
|
1 |
vacuum tubes | wires, assembly language |
military research, census, weather
forecasting |
2 |
transistor |
higher level languages--Fortran
, Cobol |
scientific research, mathematical
problems , recordkeeping by big
businesses and government |
3 |
integrated circuit |
BASIC, first
word processors for offices (on
special purpose minicomputers) |
timesharing, text based games
, still mostly programs to make calculations |
4 |
microprocessor |
applications become the usual way
of using computers, instead of programming |
games (but videogame machines are
cheaper), small businesses, education |