First generation computers were enormous and unwieldy computing devices. These massive pieces of equipment often filled whole rooms. They are visually delightful and strange pieces of equipment that speak to the hunger for “futuristic” technology that marked the early 20th century. These early digital technology apparatuses were run on vacuum tube technology and stored information on magnetic drums. In addition to being huge, these early computers of the late 1940’s and early 1950’s were prone to malfunction as a result of the enormous heat they generated. Despite their challenges, there were early adopters of the computer. Among the early adopters of this technology was the US Census Bureau.
A first generation computer. Image from fahmirahman.wordpress.com
jeremiahcomputerhistory 