Final answer:
The device that made it possible for digital computers to efficiently process large amounts of information was the microprocessor. It revolutionized the computer industry, leading to the wide adoption of personal computers and the embedding of computing technology in various other devices.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question is asking about the device that enabled digital computers to efficiently process large amounts of information. This crucial advance in computing technology was the invention and integration of microprocessors. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, the advent of fully assembled personal computers marked a significant evolution from the era when computers had to be manually assembled and programmed. Manufacturers like Apple and Commodore brought computers into businesses and homes, ushering in an age where microprocessors became ubiquitous, finding their way into a multitude of devices from automobiles to household appliances.
Microprocessor technology transformed the computer industry by shrinking the size and cost of computers while increasing processing power and efficiency. Minicomputers, which were smaller and cheaper than mainframes, made the technology accessible to smaller businesses and university labs. These advances eventually led to the proliferation of personal computing, where each individual now often has multiple personal devices, all powered by microprocessors.
Digital computers relying on microprocessor technology enabled not just the efficient processing of large data amounts, but also laid the foundation for the development of cell phones, the Internet, and much more. Thus, the microprocessor is the device that made it possible for digital computers to efficiently process large amounts of information, spearheading a technological revolution that continues to impact every facet of our modern lives.