Computer History and Appreciation

By sparkledip
  • 2700 BCE

    Abacus

    Abacus
    Using simple place value, it is the predecessor of calculators.
    Image source: www.history-computer.com

  • Model K Adder

    Model K Adder
    George Stibitz builds a device in his kitchen (hence the ‘K’) that uses Boolean logic to calculate equations.
    Image source: www.wired.com

  • Hewlett Packard

    Hewlett Packard
    Hewlett-Packard was founded in David Packard’s and Bill Hewlett’s garage.
    Image source: www.slate.com

  • CNC

    CNC
    George Stibitz, again, completes a device called the Complex Number Calculator and demonstrates at an American Mathematical Society conference. This is the very first example of remote access computing.
    Image source: www.edn.com

  • Z3 Computer

    Z3 Computer
    An early computer built by Konrad Zuse. It was the world’s first digital working computer.
    Image source: www.computermuseum.li

  • Atanasoff Berry Computer

    Atanasoff Berry Computer
    After a concept demonstration of a working computer prototype, Professor John Atanasoff was granted funding to create this computer (with the help of student Clifford Berry). Image source: jva.cs.iastate.edu

  • Colossus

    Colossus
    Tommy Flowers designs a computer to decipher enigmatic Lorenz ciphers in WWII. The existence of this machine was not revealed to the public until the 1970s. Image source: www.tnmoc.com

  • Havard Mark 1

    Havard Mark 1
    Designed by Havard professor Howard Aiken, it is a room sized calculator. Image source: fahmirahman.wordpress.com

  • Project Whirlwind

    Project Whirlwind
    During WWII, the US Navy asked MIT to build a flight simulator. Project Whirlwind is the result. However, it was regarded as ineffective and inaccurate. Image source: www.history-computer.com