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2700 BCE
Abacus
The abacus is a device used to calculate number. This device was used before calculators, computers, and paper-and-pencil math solving. Before the abacus, people used their fingers and various objects around them to calculate. The abacus is still being used today in some countries, mostly the East, as a main or alternative calculating source. Source:
https://www.computerhope.com/jargon/a/abacus.htm -
Napier's Bones
John Napier, who studied mathematics and inventor of logarithms, created a technique that would help use multiplication and division. The technique consisted of a device with number-printed rods. Napier's Bones became a phenomenon in mostly England and Western Europe. Throughout the years, Napier's Bones were used by children in England for solving multiplication. Source:
https://www.encyclopedia.com/computing/news-wires-white-papers-and-books/napiers-bones -
Slide Rule
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Period: to
Slide Rule
Following John Napier's logarithms, William Outred invented a device to solve logarithms. Outred invented the rectangular slide rule in 1620 and the circular slide rule in 1632. Throughout the years, the slide rule improved more and more. The slide rule discontinued in 1974. Source:
https://www.thoughtco.com/history-of-the-slide-rule-1992408 -
Pascaline
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Period: to
Pascaline
The Pascaline, also called the Arithmetic Machine, was invented by French mathematician Blaise Pascal. Pascal invented the device for his tax collector father, which made the Pascaline the first business machine. The device could not perform multiplication and division. It was only used for addition and subtraction. Source:
https://www.britannica.com/technology/Pascaline -
Step Reckoner
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Period: to
Step Reckoner
The Step Reckoner was designed in 1671 and built in 1673 by German mathematician Gottfried Leibniz. The device was a follow-up to Blaise Pascal's Pascaline device. The only difference of the Step Reckoner was that the numbers shown were in decimal form. Leibniz's device used electric circuits for binary numbers. Source:
https://www.britannica.com/technology/Step-Reckoner -
Jacquard Loom
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Period: to
Jacquard Loom
The Jacquard Loom, also called the Jacquard Attachment or the Jacquard Mechanism, was a device that managed single strands of yarn. The device was developed for weaving the yarn. The looms from the device were able to create fabric with different patterns such as tapestries. Joseph-Marie Jacquard's device was an improvement to Jacques de Vaucanson's loom from 1745. Source:
https://www.britannica.com/technology/Jacquard-loom -
Augusta Ada Bryon
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Period: to
Augusta Ada Bryon
Augusta Ada Bryon was an English mathematician and worked with Charles Babbage. She was called the first computer programmer. Bryon's interest grew on Babbage's machines, mostly the Analytical Machine. Bryon also built a portion of the machine. She compared the Analytical Machine to the Jacquard Loom, saying that they both produce patterns. Source:
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Ada-Lovelace -
Arithmometer
The Arithmometer was invented by Thomas de Colmar. The device became the first mass-produced calculator. It was also able to calculate addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. However, unlike modern calculators, the arithmometer's size was too big of a calculator. Source:
https://www.britannica.com/technology/Arithmometer -
Difference Engine
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Period: to
Difference Engine
The Difference Machine was on the brink of becoming the very first computer. It could calculate any problem and use any number. The machine was built by Charles Babbage. Babbage's fond on computer elements, such as keys and ciphers, wanted to design the machine. Source:
https://www.britannica.com/technology/Difference-Engine -
Analytical Engine
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Period: to
Analytical Engine
Thanks to the Difference Engine and its operation and design, the Analytical Engine officially became the first computer. Babbage had the idea of improving the Difference Machine and create a machine for general-use. Babbage worked on the machine until his death in 1871. Like the Difference Engine, the Analytical Engine was able to calculate a variety of problems. Source:
https://www.britannica.com/technology/Analytical-Engine#ref1069898 -
Scheutzian Calculation Engine
The Scheutzian Calculation Machine was invented by Per Georg Scheutz and his son, Edvard. The machine was influenced by Babbage's Difference Machine. It became the first printing calculator. Later, in the 1850s, the machine improved its design and it was sold to the British government and the U.S. government in the 1860s. Source:
http://www.computinghistory.org.uk/det/5933/Scheutz-invents-the-first-printing-calculator/ -
Tablutating Machine
In 1890, the U.S. government didn't have a machine to count the population. Herman Hollerith, an engineer from Buffalo, New York, had an idea when he looked at a train conductor's punch card. Hollerith invented a counting machine that punched holes in cards. This machine became easier to count people by the hole punched in their card. Source:
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/herman-holleriths-tabulating-machine-2504989/ -
Z1
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Period: to
Z1
The Z1 computer was invented by Konrad Zuse, a German civil engineer who turned to computers. In 1936, Zuse created his first computer called the V1, which was just for experiments. His first computers were the V1 to the V4. Zuse then changed the names of his computers to Z1-Z4 because of relation to World War II rockets called V1-V4. Source:
https://history-computer.com/ModernComputer/Relays/Zuse.html -
Harvard Mark I
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Period: to
Harvard Mark I
The Harvard Mark I, build during World War II, was an early protocomputer. Howard Aiken, a professor at Harvard University, was working on devices that would calculate digitally. He was fascinated about reading Charles Babbage's machines. Aiken planned to work on four calculating devices, from Mark I to Mark IV (mechanically to digitally). Source:
https://www.britannica.com/technology/Harvard-Mark-I -
ENIAC
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Period: to
ENIAC
The ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator And Computer) was the first "fast" computer. Meaning that it didn't slow down due to its electric speed keeping mechanical parts from slowing it down. Many people thought this device was a new era for computers. After a lightning strike in 1955, the ENIAC might have had the most calculations than all the other calculating devices. Source:
https://www.computerhistory.org/revolution/birth-of-the-computer/4/78 -
EDVAC
The EDVAC, Electronic Discrete Variable Automatic Computer, was influenced by previous computer designs by Eckhert and Mauchly. In fact, Eckert and Mauchly both designed the EDVAC computer. It was going to have a variety of usage purposes. Unlike previous computers, the EDVAC did not use decimal numbers but binary numbers. Source:
https://www.thocp.net/hardware/edvac.htm -
Transistor
William Shockley and a team of researchers had the idea to create a new electric device. Shockley usually stayed at home and thought about how the project would turn out. Meanwhile, the rest of the research team thought about ideas on their own. Soon, the team was able to create a successfully functional transistor made of germanium. Source:
https://www.bbvaopenmind.com/en/science/leading-figures/william-shockley-and-the-invention-of-the-transistor/ -
COBOL
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Period: to
COBOL
COBOL was used for computer programming language. Throughout the years, COBOL has been the most used programming language by 1970. It also became the usual way of creating business applications. COBOL included detailed information and strict regulations for coding. Source:
https://www.infoworld.com/article/3539057/what-is-cobol-cobol-programming-explained.html -
UNIVAC I
The UNIVAC, Universal Automatic Computer,was the first electronic computer that was sold worldwide. The computer was created by J. Presper Eckhert and John Mauchly, the previous inventors of the ENIAC computer.The UNIVAC's usage of vacuum tubes were crafted in modern computers. The computer then became a commercial success with the public when it predicted President Eisenhower's election. Source:
https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/univac-computer-dedicated -
FORTRAN
Like COBOL, FORTRAN was a computer language. It was the world's first advanced language. The company IBM produced many FORTRAN languages such as FORTRAN II, 66, 77, and 90. In 2007, FORTRAN became widely used for science and engineering calculations. Source:
https://www.obliquity.com/computer/fortran/history.html -
Computer Mouse
Douglas Englebart had the idea of discovering possibilities of solving problems in compute work stations. Englebart and his associate and designer of the mouse, William English, decided to test NASA with problem-solving on computers with and without a mouse. Usage of the mouse allowed people to perform computer tasks better and faster. The mouse became an easy-to-use device for computers. Source:
https://history-computer.com/ModernComputer/Basis/mouse.html -
Computer Chip
The first computer chip was an 8-bit, which had a lot of space for a small integrated circuit. However, smaller chips were produced which had even more space. Computer chips are used to help a computer function. Most chips are able to calculate mathematics, move files from place to place, and they have and create choices along with directions. Source:
https://www.techwalla.com/articles/how-do-computer-chips-work -
Floppy Disk
The floppy disk was also known as the first "memory disk". The layer of the disk contained information that allowed the computer to read it. The disk had a flexible design, hence the name "floppy" disk. The floppy disk became a sensation because you were able to take out the disk and put it in other computers. Source:
https://www.thoughtco.com/invention-of-the-floppy-disk-1991405 -
Ethernet
Robert Metcalfe was requested by his computer company, Xerox, to invent a system that would link with other computers. Metcalfe recalled the network ALOHA from the University of Hawaii which used radio waves to interact with computer data. Then, he created cables that wouldn't experience difficulties during transmissions. Soon, Ethernet cables were more reliable than trying to get permission to the Internet. Source:
https://www.thoughtco.com/history-of-ethernet-robert-metcalfe-4079022 -
Radio Shack's TRS-80
Unlike previous computers that had to be built, the TRS-80 was a computer for personal use that was already built. Don French, customer of TRS (Tandy Radio Shack), thought that Radio Shack would be able to create a small computer, already built, and ready for personal use. In mid-1977, Radio Shack was able to sell the TRS-80. Soon after, Radio Shack offered various accessories for the new computer. Source:
https://americanhistory.si.edu/collections/search/object/nmah_334337 -
Apple II
Apple began its rise to popularity with the Apple II computer on June 1977. This was also the first computer to have color on the screen. The computer also included simple computer languages and even came with its own keyboard! Apple II improved over its predecessor, Apple I, by adding 8 expansion slots to its system, allowing easier interaction with other systems. Source:
https://www.oldcomputers.net/appleii.html -
Period: to
IBM Acorn/PC
IBM along with Bill Gates discussed on creating their own personal computer. IBM had been trying to create a personal computer for a while. They even tried to buy the company Atari and take over their previous design of computers. IBM's computer was coded "Acorn" and soon became "PC", as in personal computer. Source:
https://www.thoughtco.com/history-of-the-ibm-pc-1991408#:~:text=IBM%20PC%20AKA%20Acorn,re%2Dnamed%20the%20IBM%20PC. -
IBM Acorn/PC
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Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows was basically an addition to MS-DOS, Microsoft's operating system. Windows was able to keep a computer's files in an orderly and organized fashion. The system was also able to have a business focused network. In the later years, Microsoft was able to improve their network systems and add more extensions that is able to keep a computer running. Source:
https://www.britannica.com/technology/Windows-OS -
Mac OS X (2000)
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Period: to
Mac OS X
Every Mac OS X system used code names of big cats, from the cheetah to snow leopard. Every time the system updates, new changes and improvements are featured. Throughout the years, the versions of each system evolved into bigger and better computers. The evolution of the Mac OS X has changed Apple's lineup with personal computers . Sources:
https://www.computerworld.com/article/2983507/the-evolution-of-macos-and-mac-os-x.html
https://www.git-tower.com/blog/history-of-macos/ -
iPhone
The genius businessman of Apple, Steve Jobs, made history when he discussed a new device called the 'iPhone' at an Apple meeting. The device was able to send emails, search the web, make calls, and even listen to music. The device became a new worldwide phenomenon with 270,000 iPhones being bought. Throughout the years, Apple has constructed new designs for the iPhone as well as improve and update its software. Source:
https://www.wired.com/story/guide-iphone/ -
Chromebook
The first Google Chromebook was released by companies Acer and Samsung. Some people have criticized the new computer, saying that it doesn't have the complete and flexible function like regular laptops. However, Chromebooks became useful in schools. With its affordable price and minimal system, 27,000 of the small laptops have been added in many schools. Source:
https://www.imperosoftware.com/us/blog/the-evolution-of-chromebooks/ -
Molecular Informatics (DARPA)
DARPA released a molecular informatics system to explore the data within a computer. DARPA's goal was to find new ways to keep information in a computer. Molecules were used to explore the computer. Chemistry was also used. Source:
https://idstch.com/technology/electronics/darpas-molecular-informatics-program-develop-molecular-devices-military-information-storage-processing/#:~:text=DARPA%20has%20launched%20Molecular%20Informatics,storage%2C%20retrieval%2C%20and%20processing. -
Chromebook (2018)
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iPhone 11, 11 Pro, 11 Pro Max (2020)
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Mac OS X (2020)
