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2400 BCE
The Abacus
The Abacus was one of the earliest machines created by the Babylonians. It could solve multiple types of math problems like addition, subtraction, and multiplication. -
Napier's Bones
A set of rods created by John Napier that could be used to preform complex calculation's. This included dividing, multiplying, and calculate square and cube roots. -
Weaving Loom
Invented by Joseph-Maire Jacquard. It used punch cards to replicate designs and was a big step towards computer input. -
Charles Babbage
He created the first machine that came close to the idea of computers using ,input-execute-output. This machine was known as the "difference engine" that was able to add and multiply. -
Electronic Tube
Invented by Lee De Forest. This vacuum tube made electronic computers possible. Without this invention electronic computers may not have possible. -
Colossus
This was a computer created by Great Britain to break codes. It was a very fast general purpose machine. Only ten were created and were all destroyed after WWII in fear of other nations using it against them. -
ENIAC
Electronic Numerical Integrator Computer. It was a ballistic Research Laboratory that was capable of 100,000 calculations per second. -
Transistor
these transistors could do the work of several electronic tubes and were smaller than a postage stamp. this allowed computers to use less electricity, give off less heat, be smaller, and more affordable. -
UNIVAC I
the first computer produced in numbers for the purpose of business. Prior this computer was government use only. -
Integrated Cricut
Revolutionary invention that led to the modern computer chip that has the power of millions of transistors. It was no larger than one tube and led into the next generation for computers. -
Third Generation of Computers (1958-1972)
This generation had computers that were able to be built fast but were still expensive to build, maintain, and operate. Computers were only owned by businesses that could afford it. but during these years many new computer languages were written. -
Microprocessor
these were etched materials with the capabilities of thousands of transistors. These allowed computers to be smaller, faster, and easier to build. -
Personal Computers (the Alto)
The Alto was one of the first personal computer created by Xerox. This computer include nearly everything seen in modern computers such as a mouse, GUI, development software, and a networking card. -
Apple Computers
The first apple computer, developed by Steve Wozniak and Steve Jobs, was created and sold many of them. They sold enough to go onto create the Apple II which became the first personal computer to become popular. -
Cray 1
The cray 1 was the first super computer that could be bought. It could do 150 million calculations a second. -
Commadore computers
This company developed computers similar to the Apple 1 but gained popularity due to the affordable price compared to apple. -
TRS-80 (Radio Shack)
Radio Shack developed this computer called the TRS-80 that was more affordable than apple computers and was one of the most popular personal computers of the time. -
8086 Microprocessor
Intel introduced this 16 bit microprocessor that had the computing power of 29,000 transistors and added much more power and speed to personal computing. -
Microsoft buys QDOS
IBM asked Microsoft to developed a operating system for their new PC. So Microsoft bought rights to QDOS (an existing operating system) that they modified and licensed it to the public for free. This ended up making Microsoft billions of dollars. -
Atari
This was another company in the personal computer market and started to create video games. Their computers were known for their looks, durability, and ease of use. Later they faded in popularity as IBM took over the market.