The Third generation of computers Includes the development of the integrated circuit realized by the American engineer Jack S. Kilby in 1958, that allowed to create computers smaller, light and fast. It was developed between 1964 and 1971.
The integrated circuit or chip, is a miniature piece, made of silicon and containing the electronic components in those small dimensions, storing the information as electrical charges.
IBM 360
These circuits replaced the transistors that were used to manufacture the computers. The first one contained only six, while the current chips may have millions of transistors.
Since then manufacturers have been able to make their programming more flexible and standardize their models, which could now perform mathematical and business operations simultaneously.
The first commercial computer of this generation was the IBM 360 IBM, launched in 1964. It was so popular that it positioned IBM among the leading companies in the market (with 70% participation at that time), with Control Data Corporation and Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC).
The IBM360 used an operating system OS, which allowed to manage the memory and the processor.
Four years later Intel was born, created by Gordon Moore, Robert Noyce and Andy Grove to manufacture memory chips.
And in 1969, the first 16-bit minicomputer, Nova, was launched by Data General Corporation, which improved speed and power to its competitors. Later also it brings to the market the model Eclipse.
Also included in this category are the Hewlett-Packard 3000 and 9000 models.
That same year, arpanet arises (precursor of the Internet that today we know), when the department of defense of the USA Initiates research in broad networks, and nodes are installed at UCLA, UCSB, SRI and University of Utah.
What came with third generation computers?
Smaller computers also meant, cheaper computers, more energy efficient and more available to the general public. It also meant computers that generated less heat.
With this generation of computers, the calculation speed begins to be expressed in nanoseconds (10-9 seconds), and external memories in megabytes.
It was also in this period that software programs and complementary products such as printers, card readers, optical readers and flexible storage disks emerged that could communicate with the machines thanks to the RS-232C standard.
With this type of computers also starts using magnetic storage devices such as chips.
An example of this was the IBM-built floppy drive on its 3740 model.
In addition, the new programming languages release a new syntax and become more understandable.
Another innovation that occurred in that period and which contributed to the progress of the third generation models was the fiber optic cable produced in 1970 by Corning Glass Works, Inc., with the aim of accelerating the speed of data transmission between Computer networks.
Also in 1970, a program was published that allowed organizing data, recording them and comparing their attributes. This was a"Relational Data Model for Large Shared Databases"by Codd.
Already by that date appears the technology of MOS (Metal-Oxide semiconductor), with the smallest and cheap integrated circuits of the market.
Third generation computers were very popular in the Soviet Union.
The third generation ends in 1971, with the introduction of the first personal computer, the Kenbak-1 (with a memory of 256 bytes).
What were the characteristics of third generation computers?
Among the characteristics of third generation computers, the following stand out:
- Made with integrated circuits.
- Reduction of volume.
- Lower power consumption.
- Increased storage capacity.
- Ability to network.
- Ability to share software between different computers.
- Capacity for teleprocessing (extracting or entering information from remote terminals connected to a central unit)
- It broadens the spectrum of use: education, business, research, industrial processes, etc.
- It encourages multiprogramming.
- They use control language for operating systems.
- Standardization of high level languages such as COBOL and FORTRAN.
- Greater power and speed than its predecessors.
At present, copies of these old machines are exhibited in museums or in private collections of lovers of these technological apparatuses and come to have a considerably high commercial value.
There are also non-profit organizations or occasional campaigns that invite you to pick up such machines that are already considered electronic waste, to dispose of them in a more environmentally friendly way.
References
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- Festa, Víctor (s / f). Third generation: 1964-1971. Retrieved from: sites.google.com
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- The third (s / f). What if your old computer is worth a lot of money? Recovered from: latercera.com
- Oritiz Marcos (2011). Third generation computer. Recovered from: elcomputadorevolucionehistoria.blogspot.com
- Homestead (s / f). History of computing. Retrieved from: helmutsy.homestead.com.