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In the second part of the book “Computers: The Life Story of a Technology,” it goes more in depth of how computer eventually evolve into the modern day super computer. It all started with the third generation computers: microprocessors. Jack S. Kilby and Robert Noyce’s combined effort invented the first transistor. Commercial industries began to appreciate the value of integrated circuits when Kilby created the first electronic calculator using microchips in 1967.  Instead of having huge vacuum tubes and transistors, he invented the first hand held calculator with microchips.

After the invention of the handheld calculator, technology was growing so fast that every eighteen months microprocessors and memory chips would double in power. Due to the small size in microprocessors, mini computers were soon releasing into the market. Although they were not as powerful as what had became known as mainframes, they were usually used for small number of tasks, rather than as a general-purpose business data process computer.

Besides the birth of mini computers, the software industry bloomed as well. IBM was copying software created by other people, therefore forcing them to patent software. Also user agreements were created to protect users from giving software to friends and families. There would be a three year contract lease and renew required for each user. But with all software created, BASIC was one of the most important software. It was basically a way to tell the computer to operate if certain scenario happened. The commands such as PRINT, NEXT, GOTO, READ, and IF THEN showed the computer what to do in certain situations.

With all the new invention and technology improving, the first personal computer has finally arrived, ALTAIR 8800. The Altair 8800 microcomputer was based on the 8-bit Intel 8080 microprocessor and contained only 256 bytes of memory. Shortly after the first personal computer was invented, Microsoft was programmed. Using BASIC, Microsoft was able to link programs together creating a foundation for computers. Apple was also created around the same time, being the competitor of Microsoft. IBM took Microsoft and created its first personal computer. Shortly, there were clones of IBM in the market. PC became widely used in the world. Software and games were created for personal uses at home, not just at work anymore.

With the technology advancing, computers were soon connected together through network such as telephones. Network allowed people to communicate in an instant from telephone ports, and eventually cable. Wireless connections were also made. The Internet was made into the world wide connection. Websites such as .com, .net, .edu, .gov, .mil, and .org were domains to many websites. Eventually computers were the main component of the everyday life. Everybody now has a computer. Computers were used for everything, even to blog for this class.