The third generation of computers (1965 – 1970) came about with the development of the integrated circuit. Invented in 1958, by Jack Kilby at Texas Instruments, the integrated circuit is a semiconductor circuit that contains more than one component interconnected on the same base. In 1959 Kilby’s design was improved upon when Robert Noyce at Fairchild patented the “planar” IC design. In Noyce’s design all the components are etched onto a silicon base, including a layer of aluminum metal interconnects, allowing for wireless interconnection. Integrated circuits drastically increased the speed and efficiency of computers.
On the software side of the equation, the third generation of computers saw the advent of the operating system. Operating systems allowed computers to run many different applications at the same time with the operating system handling all memory requests.
User interaction changed as well. Gone were the days of using punched cards and reading print outs. Users interacted with third generation computers through keyboards and monitors. Due to their vastly smaller size and relative inexpensiveness, computers became accessible to a mass audience.
Andre Pedraza's CSCI-120 Term Project 