Computers

History

First Generation

The first computers were created during World War II, essentially they were massive machines that consisted of "on/off" switches in the form of Vacuum Tubes. The combinations of switches represented numbers, and those numbers were used to solve various complex routine math problems. Every time a new problem was calculated the switches had to be changed. One example was the creation of a ballistic chart for aiming artillery. These first computers contained hundreds or sometimes thousands of Vacuum Tubes, and as such required a large space and huge energy supply. The ENIAC computer created in 1946 contained over 18,000 Vacuum Tubes, 70,000 resistors, and used 160 kilowatts of electricity each time it was turned on.

Second Generation

A huge breakthrough in computer science came in 1948 with the invention of Transistors which did the same job as Vacuum Tubes but required less power and were much smaller - only thousands of an inch in size. Programs could now be stored in computers allowing them to switch back and forth between functions / calculations, but only one program could be run at a time. Programming languages were developed to replace the old "on/off" binary code - the first two languages were Cobol and Fortran.

**NOTE: Since Star Trek TOS was created during the 1960's, many of the computers seen in that series are 1st, 2nd and early 3rd Generation computers projected into the future.

Third Generation

In the late 1950's another breakthrough occurred with the invention of the integrated circuit, they were followed in the mid-1960's by the Silicon Chip which embedded thousands of transistors. Generated heat was greatly reduced which allowed the size of computers to shrink, and speed of calculations to increase. Also with the Silicon Chip, computers could now run multiple programs at the same time. Operating Systems were developed to act as a central control program to monitor and manage all other computer programs and functions.

Fourth Generation

This began with the development of the Microprocessor. A single chip which contained thousands of transistors allowing it to perform tens of thousands of calculations per second. Microprocessors were able to be manufactured rapidly and were inexpensive, this allowed them to be installed in any electronic device - televisions, radios, cars, watches, toys, etc... After only 25 years a handheld calculator could outperform the ENIAC. By the turn of the century Microprocessors containing thousands of transistors could fit on a chip only 2cm square, and could perform millions of calculations per second. Basic computers shrunk to hand-size and were used for communications, entertainment and record keeping.

** NOTE: At the writing of this article (Feb. 2026) the 4th Generation of Computers is still in progress. Microprocessors have been reduced to the level of mere microns in size. All further entries are speculation based on visual and/or written records.

Fifth Generation

Monotronic Computers were developed in the mid-21st Century utilizing optical and holographic storage and processor units. The system was capable of making thousands of calculations per microsecond.