mathematical computations such as integration. The 1940’s brought the development of digital computers that used binary logic. With binary logic, it was now possible to express exact numerical values instead of using approximate analog quantities to approximate numerical values. Binary logic was more advanced then just a fancy-adding machine, it had internal ability to express a logical decision, yes or no answer (Needleman, 1983). The first type of digital computer used glass vacuum tubes that took up a lot of space, used high amounts of power and produced high amounts of heat so special air conditioned rooms were needed. These tube units required a full time crew to keep them running smoothly and were unreliable.The second version of these computers had transistors during the late 1950’s, which made the computer units more compact and proved to be better in every aspect compared to the first type. The development of mass storage units likes magnetic tapes showed the usefulness of computers in the business world. This advanced storage capabilities let information be stored and accessed at a later time. The late 1950’s and early 1960’s computers saw a new use in the business world (Needleman, 1983).The business world realized that the E.P.D., electronic data processing, computer systems could do a lot of good in the business/accounting world. The UNIVAC 1 by International Business Machines was the first real successful computer. UNIVAC 1 was used to process insurance accounting data. Other IBM computers were sold in the late 1950’s, as many companies took advantage of this new magnetic storage devise. The new range of computers, the second type, produced in 1959-1960 was designed from the start with the commercial market in mind with more improvements (McRae, 1964). Business, rather than scientific use, became the most popular use for computing equipment for the first time in the late 1950’s. In 1958...
