Evolution of Computers
The Evolution of Computers Explained Through Fighter Jets
Explaining how much faster computers have become over the past decades isn’t easy. Numbers alone don’t capture the scale of change. But what if we compared computers to fighter jets? Suddenly, the story of exponential growth becomes vivid—and fun.
Imagine this: comparing ENIAC, the first true computer, to a modern Intel Core i9 CPU isn’t just like comparing a stone axe to an F-35 Lightning II. It’s an even bigger leap.
First, what is MIPS?
MIPS (Million Instructions Per Second) is a simple metric that measures how many millions of instructions a CPU can process in one second. It’s not the most sophisticated benchmark, but it gives us a rough way to compare computing power across generations.
Computers vs. Fighter Jets: A Performance Timeline
| Computer | Year | Performance (MIPS) | Fighter Jet Analogy | Key Takeaway |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENIAC | 1946 | 0.0001 | Wright Flyer (1903) | Barely flies—just a prototype |
| IBM 704 | 1954 | 0.1 | WWI Biplane | Can observe and communicate, but not combat-ready |
| PDP-11 | 1970 | 0.3 | Early WWII Fighter | Operational, but limited maneuverability |
| IBM PC (8088) | 1981 | 0.33 | Spitfire | Fast and maneuverable—finally combat capable |
| 286 | 1982 | 1 | P-51 Mustang | Full-scale dogfights possible |
| 386 | 1985 | 3 | Me-262 | First jet fighter—changes the game |
| 486DX2 | 1992 | 20 | F-86 Sabre | Jet age truly begins—speed and agility leap ahead |
| Pentium III | 1999 | 400 | F-4 Phantom | Multirole, fast, and the dawn of multimedia & internet |
| Pentium 4 | 2001 | 800 | F-14 Tomcat | Speedy but runs hot—power and problems both rise |
| Core 2 Duo | 2006 | 1,200 | F-15 Eagle | Reliable, versatile, and top of its class |
| Core i3 (1st Gen) | 2010 | 5,000 | F-16 | Lightweight multirole fighter—sufficient for most users |
| Core i5 (1st Gen) | 2009 | 10,000 | F/A-18 Hornet | Balanced performance for gaming and work |
| Core i7 (1st Gen) | 2009 | 15,000 | F-15E Strike Eagle | High-spec, powerful for multitasking & heavy workloads |
| Core i5 (4th Gen) | 2013 | 20,000 | Eurofighter Typhoon | Fast and capable for advanced creative work |
| Core i7 (4th Gen) | 2013 | 40,000 | Dassault Rafale | Agile, precise, professional-grade |
| Core i5 (8th Gen) | 2017 | 50,000 | F-22 Raptor | Stealth, AI integration, next-gen performance |
| Core i9 (9th Gen) | 2018 | 100,000 | F-35 Lightning II | Networked, multipurpose, electronic warfare capable |
| Core i9 (13th Gen) | 2024 | 1,000,000+ | 6th-Gen Fighter (NGAD) | AI-driven, autonomous, future-ready |
A Side-by-Side Example
| Feature | 286 (1982) | Core i9 (2024) |
|---|---|---|
| Compute Speed | Like firing a single bullet at a time (P-51 Mustang) | Simultaneous precision strikes on multiple targets (6th-gen jet) |
| Open Windows | 1–2 at once | 30+ with ease |
| AI Processing | None | Deep learning, AI workloads |
| Video Editing | Impossible | Real-time 4K rendering |
The Numbers Are Staggering
- ENIAC (1946): ~0.0001 MIPS (about 100 operations per second)
- Core i9 13th Gen (2024): ~1,000,000+ MIPS (billions of operations per second)
That’s not just a step forward. It’s a ten-trillion-fold increase in under 80 years. To put it bluntly: we’ve gone from tossing stones to piloting stealthy AI-powered jets in less than a human lifetime.
Final Thought: Machines Evolve, but Judgment Is Human
Today’s computers are no longer just calculators. They can execute autonomous operations, run artificial intelligence, and simulate realities. They are, in a sense, like unmanned fighter jets—capable of incredible feats without direct control at every moment.
But here’s the catch: computers don’t decide why or when to act. That judgment still belongs to humans. The more powerful the machine, the more critical it becomes for us to use it wisely.
The real question is no longer “Can the computer do it?” but “Should we let it?”
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