History of Computers Practice Questions
19 free History of Computers practice questions for the Static GK. Tap an option to answer — you get instant feedback, the correct answer, and a detailed explanation for every question.
Who is known as the 'Father of the Computer'?
- A Alan Turing
- B Charles Babbage
- C John von Neumann
- D Bill Gates
Correct answer: Charles Babbage
Charles Babbage is called the Father of the Computer for designing the Analytical Engine. His concepts laid the foundation for modern computing.
Which was the first mechanical calculating device?
- A Abacus
- B Pascaline
- C Analytical Engine
- D ENIAC
Correct answer: Abacus
The abacus is the earliest known calculating device used for arithmetic operations. It dates back thousands of years.
Who built one of the earliest mechanical calculators in 1642, designed for addition and subtraction?
- A Blaise Pascal
- B Gottfried Leibniz
- C Charles Babbage
- D Ada Lovelace
Correct answer: Blaise Pascal
Blaise Pascal invented the Pascaline in the 17th century. It was one of the first mechanical calculators.
Which device is considered the first general-purpose electronic computer?
- A UNIVAC
- B ENIAC
- C EDVAC
- D IBM PC
Correct answer: ENIAC
ENIAC, built in 1945, is considered the first general-purpose electronic computer. It used vacuum tubes and was very large.
Who is known as the first computer programmer?
- A Grace Hopper
- B Ada Lovelace
- C Margaret Hamilton
- D Katherine Johnson
Correct answer: Ada Lovelace
Ada Lovelace wrote the first algorithm intended for a machine. She worked on Babbage's Analytical Engine.
Which generation of computers used vacuum tubes?
- A First generation
- B Second generation
- C Third generation
- D Fourth generation
Correct answer: First generation
First-generation computers used vacuum tubes for processing. These machines were large, expensive, and consumed a lot of power.
Which technology replaced vacuum tubes in second-generation computers?
- A Microprocessors
- B Transistors
- C Integrated circuits
- D Core memory
Correct answer: Transistors
Second-generation computers used transistors, which were smaller and more efficient than vacuum tubes. This improved reliability and reduced size.
Which generation of computers is associated with microprocessors?
- A Second generation
- B Third generation
- C Fourth generation
- D Fifth generation
Correct answer: Fourth generation
Fourth-generation computers introduced microprocessors. This led to the development of personal computers.
Who developed the concept of the stored-program computer?
- A Charles Babbage
- B Alan Turing
- C John von Neumann
- D Douglas Engelbart
Correct answer: John von Neumann
John von Neumann proposed the stored-program concept, where instructions and data are stored in memory. This architecture is widely used today.
Which was the first commercially available computer?
- A ENIAC
- B UNIVAC I
- C IBM 701
- D Altair 8800
Correct answer: UNIVAC I
UNIVAC I was the first commercially available computer in the 1950s. It was used for business and government applications.
What does 'CPU' stand for?
- A Central Process Unit
- B Computer Processing Unit
- C Control Processing Unit
- D Central Processing Unit
Correct answer: Central Processing Unit
CPU stands for Central Processing Unit. It is the main component responsible for executing instructions in a computer.
Which language is considered the first high-level programming language?
- A FORTRAN
- B Haskell
- C COBOL
- D BASIC
Correct answer: FORTRAN
FORTRAN, developed in the 1950s, is considered the first high-level programming language. It was mainly used for scientific computing.
Who is known as the father of artificial intelligence?
- A Alan Turing
- B Norbert Wiener
- C Claude Shannon
- D John McCarthy
Correct answer: John McCarthy
John McCarthy coined the term 'Artificial Intelligence' in 1956. He played a key role in developing AI as a field.
Which device replaced punched cards in modern computing?
- A Magnetic tape
- B Paper tape
- C Hard disk
- D CD-ROM
Correct answer: Hard disk
Hard disks replaced punched cards as storage devices. They offer higher capacity and faster access to data.
Which company launched the personal computer that became the standard for business computing in 1981?
- A Apple
- B Microsoft
- C IBM
- D HP
Correct answer: IBM
IBM developed the IBM PC in 1981. It became a standard for personal computing worldwide.
Which personal computer first popularized the graphical user interface (GUI)?
- A Commodore Amiga 500
- B Altair 8800
- C Tandy TRS-80
- D Apple Macintosh
Correct answer: Apple Macintosh
The Apple Macintosh popularized the graphical user interface in 1984. It made computers more user-friendly.
Which term refers to the brain of the computer?
- A RAM
- B Hard disk
- C CPU
- D Monitor
Correct answer: CPU
The CPU is often called the brain of the computer because it processes instructions. It controls all operations of the system.
Which storage device is volatile?
- A Hard disk
- B ROM
- C RAM
- D CD
Correct answer: RAM
RAM is volatile memory, meaning it loses data when power is turned off. It is used for temporary data storage during operations.
Which invention marked the beginning of the computer age?
- A Internet
- B Microprocessor
- C Abacus
- D Transistor
Correct answer: Transistor
The invention of the transistor in 1947 revolutionized electronics and computing. It led to smaller, faster, and more reliable computers.