Question

The buffers used in the 1950s to reduce the discrepancy in speed between the I/O and the CPU were conceptually similar to those now used routinely by Web browsers to make video and audio playback smoother.

Answer 1

Transistors were the key device that enabled digital computers in the 1950s to efficiently process large amounts of information, leading to smaller and more efficient computers, and setting the stage for the personal computer revolution of the 1980s.

Step-by-step explanation:

The device that made it possible for digital computers to efficiently process large amounts of information in the 1950s was the transistor. Transistor technology revolutionized computers, making them smaller, faster, and more power-efficient. Prior to transistors, computers were large and slow due to the use of vacuum tubes and relays. It was transistors that enabled the first significant reduction in the size and power consumption of computers, eventually leading to the creation of the first microprocessors in the 1970s, which further propelled the capabilities of electronics, as predicted by Moore's Law.

This transition laid the foundation for personal computing in the 1980s, with companies like Apple and Commodore offering fully assembled personal computers. However, in the 1950s, buffers were used to handle the speed discrepancy between the input/output operations and the CPU, conceptually similar to modern web browsers that use buffers to ensure smooth video and audio playback. These technological advancements were pivotal to the development of the digital landscape we navigate today.