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🖥️ The History of Operating Systems

📚 6 Sections
⏱️ ~12 Minutes
🎯 Level: Beginner
Hardware & Software Digital Literacy

Operating Systems (OS) are the special programs that make computers and devices usable. They allow us to click, open apps, and use keyboards and touchscreens easily.

But computers didn’t always have friendly screens! Let's travel through time and see how operating systems evolved.

📜 In the beginning...

In the 1950s, computers were giant machines without screens. People programmed them by connecting wires and using punch cards! 🧵🖨️

Fun fact: Early computers were so big they filled entire rooms — and needed air conditioning!

🖥️ The 1980s: The rise of home computers

In the 1980s, operating systems like MS-DOS and early versions of Windows appeared. Mac computers also started with easy-to-use graphical screens (called GUIs).

💡 Tip: GUI stands for "Graphical User Interface" — it means you can use icons and a mouse instead of typing complicated commands!

🌐 The Internet Age

In the 1990s, Windows 95 made computers much easier and connected them to the Internet. Linux also appeared — a free system for anyone to modify!

People started to browse, email, and chat online!

📱 Mobile operating systems

After 2000, mobile phones and tablets needed operating systems too. Android and iOS became the two big leaders. 📱

Other special OS appeared, like:

🚀 Operating systems today

Today, operating systems are everywhere — computers, phones, watches, TVs, and even cars!

  • 🖥️ An OS helps you control the device easily
  • 🖱️ Early systems had no screen — now everything is visual
  • 📱 Phones and tablets have special OS like Android and iOS
  • 🌐 Operating systems power the Internet and our digital lives!

🎯 Quiz

⬇️ Complete the quiz to finish the lesson!

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