Speed
and Money
The ballistics
calculation that took 12 hours on a hand calculator could be done in just
30 seconds. That means the ENIAC was faster
by a factor of 1,440.
The cost to run a computer has dropped even faster. A computer today
is one million times cheaper than an old mainframe. Imagine if you could
buy a new
helicopter
for just $1.00!
Because of the drastic reduction in the cost of computing,
calculation-intensive research proceeded in directions previously
unavailable. This led to new consumer products and open the vast new
markets. Take for example the modern digital wristwatch.
Because the Multifunctional Sports Watch is based on a computer, it
can offer features that are not available on mechanical watches, such
as:
- Current heart rate
- Maximum heart rate
- Average heart rate
- Heart rate in-zone percentage
- Zone limit alarm
- Percentage of maximum heart rate
- 12/24 hour selectable clock
- Calendar
- Current altitude
- Altitude alarm
|
- Altitude difference measurement
- Altitude for 24 hour log book
- Barometer trend indicator
- Current pressure
- Pressure difference
- Barometer 4 day log book
- Sea level pressure
- Compass tracking
- Bearing in degrees
- Temperature
|
But the true legacy of the ENIAC wasn't the firing
tables or other calculations. The success of the ENIAC
ushered in the Dawn of a new Age
of Information.
Dawn of a New Age of Information
|
Speed
and Money
