Generation: 1^st 

Time Period: 1946 – 1956 

Development: Vacuum Tubes Characteristics:

• Huge in size 
• Expensive 
• Lot of electricity consumption 
• Heat generation

Generation: 2^nd 

Time Period: 1956 – 1963 

Development: Transistors 

Characteristics:

• Frequent shutdowns 
• Superior to 1st Generation 
• Small in size and fast 
• Cheaper as compared to 1st Generation 
• Less consumption of electricity

Generation: 3^rd 

Time Period: 1963 -1971

Development: IC 

Characteristics:

• Keyboards and monitors 
• OS 
• Smaller and still cheaper

Generation: 4^th

Time Period: 1971 – 2010 

Development: Microprocessor Characteristics:

• Use of Internet 
• GUI Introduction of portable devices like mobiles, laptops, etc.

Generation: 5^th

Time Period: 2010 – Till Date 

Development: Artificial Intelligence (AI) 

Characteristics:

• Voice recognition 
• Sensors 
• Nano technology

1^st Generation computers occupied the entire room, but due to advancement in science and technology, today’s computer fits into our pockets.

Initially computers needed a specific language to interact but today we use voice recognition for the same.

In these ways, science has contributed in making the computers faster, smaller, cheaper and much more useful.