The third generation

• Third generation of computers

  Defined by the emergence of the integrated circuit (IC), otherwise known as the chip or silicon chip
• Integrated circuit (IC)


  • Several components were placed (integrated) on the same crystal
  • Gave a huge improvement in speed and size
  • Reduced manufacturing costs
• First single-chip microprocessor


  • Intel 4004 chip
• Both minicomputers and mainframes moved over to this third-generation technology
• Instead of punched cards for inputting information and paper printouts for output, keyboards began to be used more widely for input and monitors for output
• Terminals, each of which consisted of a monitor and a keyboard, could be distributed across the country and connected to a single shared computer by telephone lines
• This period also saw another significant development in the emergence of the first floppy disks for storage, making programs and data truly portable for the first time
• LEO computer


  • Developed by Lyons bakery
  • Used for payroll and stock control
  • Stock control was particularly important because the goods being stocked and sold were perishable
• John Simmons, a senior manager at Lyons & Co, recognised that the computer had the potential to improve business efficiency
• Up until then, computers had been developed for use by the military and for scientific purposes