Key Issue: From where did the computer industry come ?
The Computer Industry in the 1940s: Pioneers, War-Driven Innovation, and Emerging Markets
Introduction
The 1940s marked a pivotal decade in the history of computing, as the world witnessed the birth of the modern computer industry. Driven by the needs of World War II and the subsequent post-war era, the 1940s saw rapid advancements in computing technology, laying the foundation for future innovations. This report delves into the key players, systems, hardware components, and market dynamics that shaped the computer industry during this transformative period.
Key Players and Vendors:
International Business Machines (IBM)
Products: IBM Automatic Sequence Controlled Calculator (ASCC), IBM Selective Sequence Electronic Calculator (SSEC)
Hardware: Electromechanical components, vacuum tubes, punched cards, magnetic drums
Remington Rand
Products: ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer)
Hardware: Vacuum tubes, punched cards, function tables
Manchester University
Products: Manchester Baby, Manchester Mark 1
Hardware: Williams-Kilburn tubes, vacuum tubes, magnetic drum storage
National Physical Laboratory (NPL)
Products: Pilot ACE (Automatic Computing Engine)
Hardware: Vacuum tubes, mercury delay lines
Harvard University
Products: Harvard Mark I, Harvard Mark II
Hardware: Electromechanical components, punched tape, magnetic drum storage
University of Pennsylvania
Products: EDVAC (Electronic Discrete Variable Automatic Computer)
Hardware: Vacuum tubes, mercury delay lines, magnetic tape storage
War-Driven Innovation: World War II acted as a catalyst for the rapid development of computing technology. Governments and military organizations invested heavily in research and development to gain a technological edge. The following systems emerged as a result of wartime needs:
Colossus (UK): Used for cryptanalysis and code-breaking.
Zuse Z3 (Germany): The first programmable, fully automatic digital computer.
Atanasoff-Berry Computer (ABC) (US): An early electronic digital computer.
Post-War Developments: After the war, the focus shifted towards civilian applications and commercialization of computing technology.
Key developments included
UNIVAC I (Universal Automatic Computer): The first commercially available general-purpose computer, developed by Remington Rand.
Ferranti Mark 1: The first commercially available general-purpose computer in the UK.
IBM 604: An electronic calculating punch designed for scientific and engineering computations.
Hardware Components and Vendors
Vacuum Tubes
Vendors: RCA, General Electric, Westinghouse, Sylvania
Market Size: Approximately $200 million by the end of the 1940s
Punched Cards
Vendors: IBM, Remington Rand
Market Size: Approximately $50 million by the end of the 1940s
Magnetic Drums
Vendors: IBM, Remington Rand, Engineering Research Associates (ERA)
Market Size: Approximately $10 million by the end of the 1940s
Delay Lines
Vendors: Eckert-Mauchly Computer Corporation, Ferranti
Market Size: Approximately $5 million by the end of the 1940s
Electromechanical Components
Vendors: IBM, NCR, Burroughs
Market Size: Approximately $100 million by the end of the 1940s
Market Dynamics
The computer industry in the 1940s was characterized by rapid growth, technological advancements, and increasing government and military investment. However, the market was still relatively small, with only a handful of players dominating the industry. The total market size for computers and related components was estimated to be around $500 million by the end of the decade.
The 1940s laid the groundwork for the modern computer industry, with pioneering companies, groundbreaking innovations, and the emergence of new markets. The demands of World War II fueled rapid advancements in computing technology, while the post-war era saw the commercialization and expansion of the industry. As the decade drew to a close, the stage was set for the exponential growth and transformative impact that computers would have on society in the decades to come.
