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History Of Computers Quiz 13 (10 MCQs)

This set of multiple-choice questions evaluates understanding of early computer history, including the commercialization of computing, UNIVAC, and first generation computers. It covers key figures like Seymour Cray and J.C.R. Licklider, as well as significant milestones such as the first computer in India and the development of mainframe computers. The questions also explore the historical context of computing technology, from electro-mechanical computers to the advent of electronic components and the evolution of the internet.

Quiz Instructions

Select an option to see the correct answer instantly.

1. Where was the first computer installed in India?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: (A) Indian Statistical Institute, Kolkata.

Exam Relevance: CSIR NET, GATE, IIT JAM, UGC NET

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The first computer in India was installed at the Indian Statistical Institute in Kolkata.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is to confuse the Indian Statistical Institute with other institutions like the Indian Institute of Science or Indian Institute of Management.

Explanations: The Indian Statistical Institute (ISI) in Kolkata was the first institution in India to install a computer. This installation marked a significant milestone in the history of computing in India. The computer was installed in the early 1950s, making ISI a pioneer in the field of computing in the country.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Correct. The Indian Statistical Institute in Kolkata was the first to install a computer in India.
Option B: Incorrect. There is no Indian Institute of Statistics in Delhi.
Option C: Incorrect. The Indian Institute of Science in Bangalore did not have the first computer installation in India.
Option D: Incorrect. The Indian Institute of Management in Ahmedabad was not the first to install a computer in India.

2. In which year was the PC voted 'The Machine of the Year's by the American Time magazine?

Exam Relevance: Computer Science History, Technology History Exams, Information Technology Exams

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The PC, or personal computer, was a significant technological advancement that revolutionized the way people interacted with computers. In 1983, Time magazine recognized the impact of the PC by naming it "Machine of the Year."

Common Mistakes: A common mistake might be to confuse the year with other significant years in the history of computers, such as 1975 when the Altair 8800 was introduced, or 1981 when IBM released its first PC.

Explanations: In 1983, the personal computer had become a transformative technology, changing the way people worked, communicated, and accessed information. Time magazine's recognition of the PC as "Machine of the Year" highlighted its growing importance and impact on society.

Option Analysis:

Option A: 1970 is incorrect because the PC had not yet become a significant consumer product by this time.
Option B: 1975 is incorrect as it marks the introduction of the Altair 8800, but the PC had not yet become widely recognized.
Option C: 1983 is correct as it was the year Time magazine named the PC "Machine of the Year."
Option D: 1987 is incorrect as the PC had already been recognized by Time magazine in 1983.

3. The circuit used in 1st generation of computers.

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: (C) Vacuum tubes.

Exam Relevance: Computer Science Fundamentals, History of Computing, IT Exams

Difficulty: Easy

Concept notes: The first generation of computers used vacuum tubes as their primary electronic components.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is to confuse the technology used in different generations of computers. For example, transistors were used in the second generation, not the first.

Explanations: Vacuum tubes were the primary electronic components used in the first generation of computers. These devices were large, consumed a lot of power, and generated significant heat. They were used for both logic and memory functions in early computers. The use of vacuum tubes marked the beginning of electronic computing.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Transistors were used in the second generation of computers, not the first.
Option B: Integrated circuits were used in the third generation of computers, not the first.
Option C: Vacuum tubes were the primary electronic components used in the first generation of computers.
Option D: Microprocessors were used in the fourth generation of computers, not the first.

4. The first computer made available for commercial use was

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: (D) UNIVAC.

Exam Relevance: Computer Science Exams, History of Computing Exams, Information Technology Exams

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: UNIVAC (Universal Automatic Computer) was the first commercially available computer.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is confusing UNIVAC with ENIAC, which was the first general-purpose electronic computer but not commercially available.

Explanations: UNIVAC was the first computer designed for commercial use and was sold to the U.S. Census Bureau in 1951. It was used for business and administrative tasks, marking a significant milestone in the commercialization of computing technology. ENIAC, while revolutionary, was primarily used for military and scientific calculations and was not commercially available.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Mark-I was an early electromechanical computer, but it was not commercially available.
Option B: ENIAC was the first general-purpose electronic computer, but it was not commercially available.
Option C: EDSAC was the first stored-program computer to run real-time, but it was not commercially available.
Option D: UNIVAC was the first computer designed for commercial use and was sold to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Mnemonic: UNIVAC: "Universal Automatic Computer" - "U" for "First Commercial Use"

5. Who proposed a global network of computers in 1962?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: (B) . Licklider.

Exam Relevance: Computer Science exams, History of Computing exams, Information Technology exams

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: J.C.R. Licklider proposed the concept of a global network of computers in 1962, which laid the groundwork for the modern internet.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is to confuse J.C.R. Licklider with other notable figures in computer history, such as Bill Gates or Tim Berners-Lee, who made significant contributions in different areas.

Explanations: J.C.R. Licklider, a computer scientist and psychologist, proposed the concept of a global network of computers in 1962. His vision was to create a network that would allow computers to communicate with each other, which was a precursor to the modern internet. This proposal was part of his work at the Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA), where he envisioned a network that would enable researchers to share information and collaborate effectively.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Bill Gates is known for co-founding Microsoft and his contributions to personal computing, not for proposing a global network of computers.
Option B: J.C.R. Licklider proposed the concept of a global network of computers in 1962, which is the correct answer.
Option C: Tim Berners-Lee is known for inventing the World Wide Web, not for proposing the initial concept of a global network of computers.
Option D: Steve Jobs is known for his contributions to Apple and personal computing, not for proposing a global network of computers.

Mnemonic: Licklider's Link: L for Licklider, L for Link.

6. Computers built before the First Generation of computers were

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: (B) Electro-mechanical.

Exam Relevance: Computer Science History, Information Technology Exams, History of Computing Exams

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The First Generation of computers refers to the period from 1940 to 1956, characterized by the use of vacuum tubes. Computers built before this period were primarily electro-mechanical.

Common Mistakes: A common misunderstanding is that the earliest computers were purely mechanical, but they were actually electro-mechanical, combining mechanical and electrical components.

Explanations: Computers built before the First Generation were electro-mechanical, meaning they used both mechanical and electrical components. These early machines, such as the Analytical Engine and the Z3, utilized mechanical parts for computation and electrical parts for control and operation. This combination of technologies made them more advanced than purely mechanical devices but less advanced than the vacuum tube-based computers of the First Generation.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Mechanical computers were not as advanced as the electro-mechanical ones and did not have the capability to perform complex computations as efficiently.
Option B: Electro-mechanical computers combined mechanical and electrical components, making them the correct answer.
Option C: Electrical computers, as in the First Generation, used vacuum tubes, which were not present in the earlier machines.
Option D: This option is incorrect as electro-mechanical computers were indeed built before the First Generation.

7. There are historical evidences to prove that abacus was first used in

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: (C) China.

Exam Relevance: GRE, SAT, AP World History, History of Mathematics

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The abacus is an ancient calculating tool that has been used for centuries. Historical evidence suggests that the abacus originated in China.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is to assume that the abacus originated in Japan due to its widespread use there.

Explanations: The abacus is believed to have originated in China around 2000 BCE. Archaeological evidence and historical records indicate that the Chinese abacus, known as the suanpan, was widely used for calculations. The design and use of the abacus spread to other parts of Asia, including Japan, where it became known as the soroban. Despite its popularity in Japan, the historical evidence points to China as the place of origin.

Option Analysis:

Option A: India did not have historical evidence of the abacus's origin.
Option B: Japan adopted the abacus from China but did not originate it.
Option C: China is the correct answer as historical evidence supports its origin there.
Option D: Indonesia does not have historical evidence of the abacus's origin.

8. EDSAC stands for .....

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: (A) Electronic Delay Storage Automatic Computer.

Exam Relevance: Computer Science History, Information Technology Exams, History of Computing Exams

Difficulty: Easy

Concept notes: EDSAC stands for Electronic Delay Storage Automatic Computer. It was one of the first stored-program computers and was operational in 1949 at the University of Cambridge.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is to confuse the acronym with other similar-sounding terms or to misremember the exact phrase.

Explanations: EDSAC was a pioneering computer that used mercury delay lines for memory storage. The acronym "Electronic Delay Storage Automatic Computer" accurately reflects its key features and technology.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Correct. EDSAC stands for Electronic Delay Storage Automatic Computer.
Option B: Incorrect. The term "Serial" is not part of the correct acronym.
Option C: Incorrect. The term "Discrete" is not part of the correct acronym.
Option D: Incorrect. Only one of the options is correct, and it is not all of the above.

9. Mainframe computer was first developed by

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: (C) IBM.

Exam Relevance: Computer Science Exams, History of Computing Exams, Information Technology Exams

Difficulty: Easy

Concept notes: IBM (International Business Machines Corporation) is known for developing the first mainframe computers in the 1960s.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is to confuse IBM with other technology companies that are more prominent in consumer electronics or software.

Explanations: IBM developed the first mainframe computers, which were large, powerful computers designed for critical business and scientific applications. These systems were revolutionary in their time and laid the foundation for modern computing infrastructure.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Sony is a consumer electronics and entertainment company, not known for developing mainframe computers.
Option B: Microsoft is a software company and did not develop the first mainframe computers.
Option C: IBM is the correct answer as it developed the first mainframe computers.
Option D: Facebook is a social media company and not involved in the development of mainframe computers.

10. Who invented the super computer?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: (A) Seymour Cray.

Exam Relevance: Computer Science Exams, History of Computing Exams, Technology History Exams

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: Seymour Cray is widely recognized as the inventor of the supercomputer.

Common Mistakes: A common misunderstanding is that Charles Babbage, who invented the analytical engine, is the inventor of the supercomputer. However, Babbage's work predates the concept of supercomputers.

Explanations: Seymour Cray is credited with the invention of the supercomputer. He designed and built some of the fastest computers in the world during the 1960s and 1970s, including the CDC 6600, which is often considered the first supercomputer. His work laid the foundation for modern supercomputing.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Correct. Seymour Cray is the inventor of the supercomputer.
Option B: Incorrect. JH Van Tassell is not associated with the invention of the supercomputer.
Option C: Incorrect. Charles Ginsberg is not known for inventing the supercomputer.
Option D: Incorrect. Charles Babbage is known for his work on the analytical engine, not the supercomputer.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the significance of the abacus in early computing history?

The abacus is one of the earliest known computing devices, used for basic arithmetic operations. It predates electronic computers and has been used in various forms across different cultures.

How did the transition from electro-mechanical to electronic components impact computing?

The shift from electro-mechanical to electronic components, such as vacuum tubes, significantly increased the speed and efficiency of computing machines, leading to the development of the first generation of computers.

What was the first commercially available computer?

The UNIVAC I, developed in the 1950s, was the first commercially available computer, used primarily for tasks like the U.S. Census Bureau's data processing.

Who was Seymour Cray and what was his contribution to computing?

Seymour Cray was a pioneer in supercomputer development. He designed the CDC 6600, which was named "Machine of the Year" by Time magazine in 1962, marking a significant milestone in supercomputing.

What is the historical significance of the Indian Statistical Institute's first computer?

The Indian Statistical Institute in Kolkata acquired one of the first computers in India in the 1950s, which was a significant step in the development of computing technology in the country.

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