Using Computers
Even before there were personal computers, digital computing was put to use in a variety of different ways. Today, computer technology has been miniaturized to create mobile phones, and expanded to allow supercomputers to work at high speed. Virtual reality, a relatively recent development, now allows for realistic simulations in a three-dimensional, computer-generated world.
Mini Computers
Mobile phones and other small electronic devices, such as hand-held computers, use smaller and smaller chips to allow for portability and convenience.
Supercomputers
By cooling the components so that they conduct electricity more efficiently, supercomputers are able to process information at a very fast rate. These computers gain speed by multi-tasking, performing several processes at once. The computer shown here is used in the study of particle physics.
Virtual Reality
Virtual reality is a threedimensional computergenerated world. Programs such as the NASA flight simulator shown here train students through interactive simulations.