Computers: Then and Now

The evolution of computers has been a fast and continuous process, with a lot of progress made in the last century. The first computers were invented in the 1800s. These early machines were large and were mainly used for simple mathematical calculations.

In the 1930s and 1940s, electronic computers were developed, which made computers faster. These early electronic computers were still quite large and expensive and were used by government and scientific organizations.  Next came the first smaller computers. While these computers were still quite expensive, it allowed businesses to begin to use them.

The 70s and 80s was the beginning of the personal computer (PC), such as the Apple and IBM. Now, individual people could get computers for personal use.  As the internet developed, personal computers became common in every house.  The internet allowed for the easy sharing of information and online communication.

Today, computers are becoming smaller and more powerful, like smartphones and tablets. And because of the invention of artificial intelligence, computers will continue to be important in our daily lives in the future.

Comprehension

1) When were the first computers invented?

2) What development in the 1930s and 1940s made computers faster?

3) What was the impact of the internet on the accessibility of personal computers?

Vocabulary

Match the words to the definition:

1) evolution

2) century

3) large

4) government

5) allowed

6) such as

a) permitted

b) for example

c) to change slowly over time

d) big

e) 100 years

f) The people in charge of a country (president, senate, etc)

Grammar Highlights

Use object pronouns if the pronoun is after the verb

“…it allowed businesses to begin to use they them.”

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