Two Centuries of Productivity Growth in Computing.

The present study analyzes computer performance over the last century and a half. Three results stand out. First, there has been a phenomenal increase in computer power over the twentieth century. Depending upon the standard used, computer performance has improved since manual computing by a factor...

Descripción completa

Detalles Bibliográficos
Publicado en:Journal of Economic History Vol. 67; no. 1; pp. 128 - 160
Autor principal: Nordhaus, William D.
Formato: Artículo
Publicado: Cambridge University Press March 2007
Acceso en línea:Ver este registro en EBSCOhost
Descripción
Sumario:The present study analyzes computer performance over the last century and a half. Three results stand out. First, there has been a phenomenal increase in computer power over the twentieth century. Depending upon the standard used, computer performance has improved since manual computing by a factor between 1.7 trillion and 76 trillion. Second, there was a major break in the trend around World War II. Third, this study develops estimates of the growth in computer power relying on performance rather than components; the price declines using performance-based measures are markedly larger than those reported in the official statistics. Reprinted by permission of the publisher.