LE EECS 1520 Final Exam 2026 (EECS 1520) – 180 Questions & Correct Answers – Early Computing Devices, Von Neumann Architecture & Microprocessor Evolution

This document contains approximately 180 fully solved LE EECS exam questions and correct answers covering the evolution of computing from ancient mechanical devices to modern microprocessors and global networking systems. It begins with foundational definitions such as what a computer is (a programmable machine) and early devices including the Abacus (3000 BC, Babylonia), Slide Rule, Antikythera Mechanism, Adding Machine, mechanical clocks, Difference Engine, and the Jacquard Loom with punch cards. The material thoroughly explains algorithm development, Boolean algebra (George Boole), Claude Shannon’s application of Boolean logic to digital computing machines, and Alan Turing’s Turing Machine and Turing Test for artificial intelligence. It covers ENIAC as the first general-purpose electronic computer using vacuum tubes, the limitations of vacuum tubes (heat, size, failure rates), and John von Neumann’s stored-program architecture including CPU, Arithmetic Logic Unit, memory, and the fetch-decode-execute cycle. In addition, the document provides detailed coverage of the transition from vacuum tubes to transistors (faster, smaller, lower power), the first transistor-based hearing aid, IBM mainframes and the IBM System standardization, integrated circuits, the Intel 4004 microprocessor (4-bit, first commercially available processor), VisiCalc as the first spreadsheet application that transformed computers into business tools, the IBM PC with Intel CPU and Microsoft operating system, Apple Macintosh and GUI popularization, ARPANET as the foundation of the Internet, the World Wide Web, and Moore’s Law describing transistor doubling approximately every two years. This study resource is particularly relevant for: Students enrolled in EECS 1520 Introduction to Computing Computer Science and Engineering majors Electrical Engineering students Information Technology and Systems students Students preparing for computing history midterms or final exams It is suitable for courses such as: Introduction to Computer Science History of Computing Computer Architecture Foundations Digital Systems and Logic Information and Communication Technology This document functions as a comprehensive final exam preparation guide, reinforcing historical milestones, algorithm theory, hardware evolution, architectural models, microprocessor development, and networking foundations essential for understanding modern computer systems. Keywords: LE EECS 1520 exam 2026, abacus slide rule antikythera mechanism, difference engine jacquard loom punch cards, algorithm finite instructions, George Boole Boolean algebra, Claude Shannon digital logic machines, Alan Turing Turing machine test, ENIAC vacuum tubes first electronic computer, von Neumann architecture fetch decode execute, transistor replacing vacuum tubes, IBM mainframe standard, integrated circuits silicon chips, Intel 4004 first microprocessor 4 bit, VisiCalc first spreadsheet, IBM PC Intel Microsoft OS, Apple Macintosh graphical user interface, ARPANET foundation of internet, World Wide Web WWW, Moore law transistor doubling