Computers In History Essay, Research Paper

Could one imagine what the world would be like today without computers? For one, I would not be typing this paper right now. Computers were actually developed in early history. The first major use for a computer in the U.S. was during the 1890 census. Two men, Herman Hollerith and James Powers, developed a new punched-card system that could automatically read information on cards without human intervention (Chaney 52). This caused many other people to develop computers for various tasks. Each new computer helped to perform a different function and make it easier. Eventually IBM made a computer that could perform various tasks such as: figure out equations, store data, and draw graphics (Chaney 53). From there the computer industry exploded. Now computers have changed many aspects of life.

Computers have had a major effect upon business. One area deals with the advertising industry. It has completely re-arranged the advertising business. Before computers companies used to advertise only on magazines, billboards, and T.V. The internet has spawned a new world for advertising. If anyone has ever been on the Internet; they know that it is a major contributor to this. Instead of companies paying around 1 million dollars to advertise for a 30 second commercial during the Super Bowl;

they could just pay a certain amount to be advertised forever on the net. People can also notice the changes of advertising on the T.V., also. Not until the last few years have people noticed that a great deal of the commercials on T.V. are computer-related. These two combined have made the advertising businesses boom. Not only just on the T.V., but also on the net. Another area affected is the stock trading business. Computers have actually hurt the majority of stock brokerage firms. The reason is because computers allow it’s users to have access to the same information the actual brokers have. They can log onto the internet and go to their online firm to download information on stocks. This way they have the knowledge to trade and buy stocks for themselves without paying a certain percent to the broker. People can become a member of online firms such as: Ameritrade, DLJ Direct, SureTrade, and others. Here they can trade for a mere $8-$10 dollars. People also have responded that they feel more comfortable when they have total control of their money ( Maney 45).

A final area deals with the actual computer-related companies. These companies have turned from perhaps what some considered an unthinkable business into Fortune 500 companies (Maney 48). Such companies as: Microsoft, Intel, Dell, Gateway, Cisco, and Apple have become some of the most successful companies around the world. They have also caused the infamous Silicon Valley to sprout up. This area located in mid-western California has become one of the most well-known areas along with the most profitable (Horowitz 38). Those companies produce the needed computer software, machines, computer chips, and hardware needed by the people. Statistics show that about 1 in every 5 households own at least one computer in their

home. By the year 2002 they expect those results to be around 1 in 3 (Stross 58). These reasons along with others are what have made computer businesses become so successful.

Computers have opened a whole new way to educate people. A first example is through educational software. Companies like Kaplan develop many programs which help people with all subjects. These programs do not only help with young kids, but for all different ages. They now have software that helps kids study for such tests as the ACT and SAT. These can come in handy and be a great benefit when the test rolls around. Multimedia programs give people the chance to have a whole set of encyclopedias, almanacs, maps, dictionaries, and other informational tools (Stross 62). Computers have also allowed many mathematical equations and other formulas to be completed extremely quickly. Some people might not realize that a calculator is actually a computer. Could one imagine not being able to use a calculator for certain math problems? Some applications we would still be working on!

The Internet is another tool people have started to use for education. Undoubtedly, this is probably the most important tool that has changed education. Labeled the “Information Superhighway” one can understand this. It has allowed people from all over the world to share their knowledge and give anyone access to it for an extremely low cost. One can even access the Library of Congress and look at any book in the world (Horowitz 39). People can take part in online lectures given by professors. If a person has a research project on let’s say, Cancer. All they would need to do is search for that on a search engine such as, Yahoo. Then they would have more information on the

subject than they could even imagine. Also, there are certain sites where people can get online and go to a homework help site. Here kids can e-mail problems to the site. Then they will respond with hints to it and eventually the answer. One site is www.homeworkhelp.com (Stross 66). A final effect is how it is somewhat necessary for people to become user friendly with the computer. People can argue that they might not ever need to use a computer or learn how. Yes, there are those people who are not ever going to be into the technological age. These people are just limiting themselves on what Bill Gates say’s is, “a technological era” (Maney 50). On commercials one here’s the phrase, “What type of computer skills do you have.” People are being constantly rejected for jobs from those Fortune 500 companies like Microsoft and Intel. This has caused people to partake in courses offered in computers and take typing classes. The computer skills are a needed ability for people to get many jobs in today’s job world.

“Someday we hope that every household will contain at least one computer for use”, says Microsoft CEO Bill gates (Stross 68). In the future it could be very likely that most households will be benefited by having a computer. Already, people can watch T.V. from their computer, use it as a CD player ,or even a VCR. Groceries, pizza, and other meals and necessities will be able to be ordered from the home. Someday computers will relate to virtually everything. A second relation is with the workplace. Almost every job, whether it be a farmer or a teacher will benefit by using a computer. The farmer can use a computer to calculate crop production or turn on the right irrigation systems. A teacher could e-mail the whole days lesson plans to students at home. A final thought is how there will continually be effects as long as people continue to come up

with the ideas. Such things as voice operated lights, T.V’s, and computer’s are just a few things in operation right now. They also are developing voice activated cars. All these inventions would not have been able to come about without the use of the computer (Maney 51).

The computer is constantly changing the everyday life of many people. It has effected some part of everyone’s life. They will continue to benefit people in many ways. Some not even thought of yet.