The Bradford Area Public Library will present a program, “The Amazing Ascent of the Computer,” virtually on July 28 at 6 p.m. via Zoom.
To register for this program, email marketing@bradfordlibrary.org or call the library at 814-362-6527, and a special Zoom link will be given to all interested participants.
Jeremy Callinan, an instructor for the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford since 2004 and programmer since 1997, will be presenting. Callinan has a bachelor of science degree in computer science and a master’s degree in business administration. He has taught courses on topics such as virtual reality and video game programming. Callinan also has 20 years of experience in business development.
In this program, see the quick ascent of the computer and its widespread use in all industries as well as in homes. Participants will explore the computer’s history and catch a glimpse of what the future will hold.
Computers have gone from room-sized behemoths comprising vacuum tubes, cooling mechanisms and a nest of snaking cables to small, easily transportable devices that can fit in pockets or worn on a wrist. One would be hard-pressed to find anyone without a small computer resting in a hand, pocket, or purse. Yes, those cellphones are computers.
An individual does not need to be a computer geek, or particularly tech-savvy to appreciate the amazing ascent of the computer. This technology is virtually everywhere and quite easily accessible by all. That was not always the case in the past, however.
In the 1950s, computers were almost impossible to use, except by the geniuses who created them. With each passing decade, the ease of computer operation steadily improved, and no longer was usage limited to highly trained individuals. By the mid-’80s, computers could be used by the average person.
Not only has the computer become more user-friendly and the physical size has diminished, but processing speeds and memory have greatly improved. This can be attributed to scientific advances, as well as the nation’s free enterprise system that encourages competition between companies. In the end, the consumer wins.
Fifty years ago, the University of Pittsburgh’s Bradford campus, introduced IBM’s 1130 model to the community. This was a standalone computer system, designed to afford students a hands-on introduction to computer usage. It provided important exposure to the necessary skills that would greatly impact the workplace.
