History of Computers - John Ambrose Fleming
Page created by Tom Viehman
Introduction
John Ambrose Fleming was a key figure in the development of computer hardware. His invention of the vacuum tube, a key component in computer hardware, accelerated the development of computers and paved the way for the computers of today.
Overview
Fleming was born the eldest of seven children in Lancaster on November 29, 1849. As a child he was avid about engineering and highly talented in geometry. He graduated from University College of London with a BSc in 1870 and went on to study chemistry at the Royal College of Science in South Kensington. He graduated again from Cambridge with a degree in chemistry and physics. He obtained a DSc from London College and served as a professor at the University of Nottingham. In 1904, he created a two-electrode vacuum tube, which he named the oscillation valve. It is also called the thermionic valve, vacuum diode, kenotron, thermionic tube, or Fleming valve. Fleming's valve was extremely expensive to make so it did not catch on as well as a similar design, the cat's wisker, that came out two years later. [1] Besides this invention, Fleming also contributed in the fields of photometry, electronics, wireless telegraphy (radio), and electrical measurements. He coined the term Power Factor to describe the true power flowing in an AC power system. [2] Fleming died in April 1945.
Significance
In 1904, Fleming created the first ever two-electrode vacuum tube, which he called the thermionic valve.[3] He received a patent for it in 1904. Fleming's vacuum tube marked the beginning of modern electronics, and it was used in radios and other electronics for 50 years until solid state technology was invented. It is often considered the birth of electronics as it was the first electron tube. The vacuum tube could manipulate electric currents and signals and allowed for much faster computing. Fleming also developed a precision resistance bridge for measuring resistance values, which was nicknamed "Fleming's Banjo."[4]
References
- ↑ http://www.radio-electronics.com/info/radio_history/gtnames/fleming.php
- ↑ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Ambrose_Fleming
- ↑ [1]
- ↑ [2]
