Thu 28 March 2024
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History of Computer

The computer was invented because "necessity is the mother of invention". Man always searched for a fast calculating device. It took a long time to invent a digital computer. A brief history behind the invention of the computer is as follows:

 

Abacus

The first computing device was ABACUS. It was developed in 600 BC. It was used to perform simple addition and subtraction. It consists of wooden beads. The beads could be move easily. Calculations were performed by moving these beads properly.

 

John Napier's Bone.

Another manual calculating device was John Napier's bone. it was a cardboard multiplication calculator. It was designed in the early 17th century.

 

Blaise Pascal

The first mechanical adding machine was invented by Blaise Pascal in 1642. It could only add and subtract numbers. Division and multiplication were done by repeated addition and subtraction.

 

Gottfield Wilhem Von Leibnitz

In 1694, a German scientist Leibnitz developed a calculating machine. It was the first calculator that could multiply and divide also.

 

Charles Xavier

A French scientist Charles Xavier developed a machine that could perform addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.

 

Punched Board

A French engineer Joseph developed a punch board system (or power looms. It was used to create a specific weaving pattern on cloths, Later on, the system was used in computing devices.

 

Charles Babbage

In 1822 a mathematician Charles Babbage invented a difference engine for mathematical calculations. In 1842 he developed Analytical Engine that was automatic. This engine could perform 60 additions per minute.

 

Herman Hollerith

In 1889, Herman applied the idea of punchboards in computers. He used punch cards in computers for input and output.

 

Atanasoff

Atanasoff was a professor at Lowa University. He invented the electronic computer. He applied Boolean algebra to computer circuitry.

 

George Boole

George Boole simplified the binary system of algebra. His rule states that any mathematical equation can be stated simply as either true or false.

 

Different well-known early computers are as follows.

The Mark 1 Computer (1937-44)

It is also known as the Automatic Sequence Controlled calculator. It was the first fully automatic calculating machine. It was designed by Howard A. Aiken of Harvard University. It was very reliable but huge in size.

 

The ENIAC (1943-46)

ENIAC stands for Electronic Numerical Integrator and Calculator II was invented by J.P.Eckert and John Mauchly in 1946, II was the first electronic computer.

 

The EDVAC (1946-52)

EDVAC stands for Electronic Discrete Variable Automatic Calculator. It was developed by Dr. John Von Neumann. It could store instructions and data.

 

The UNIVAC (1951)

UNIVAC stands for Universal Automatic Computer. It was the first digital computer. It was used in business and industries.

 

Commercial Computers

The first commercial computer was 701. It was introduced by IBM (International Business Machines).


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