Abacus

Computing Timeline

By marccoton
  • 18,000 BCE

    Ishango Bone

    Ishango Bone
    A tool made from bone, with a quartz tip and scratches that may be as tally marks for counting.
  • 3000 BCE

    Abacus

    Abacus
    A counting and calculating tool used by merchants and clerks before written numerical systems.
  • 1554

    Astrolabe

    Astrolabe
    An advanced inclinometer, used for measuring the position of the sun, stars and planets.

  • Analytical Engine

    Analytical Engine
    The first general purpose mechanical computer, designed by Charles Babage.

  • Ritty Model I Cash Register

    Ritty Model I Cash Register
    Mechanical device for registering and calculating transactions with a cash drawer for storing money.

  • Colossus

    Colossus
    The world's first electronic digital computer that was at all programmable.

  • The Manchester Baby

    The Manchester Baby
    An early 'stored-program' computing machine developed to test the first computer RAM.

  • Pulsar Digital Electronic Watch

    Pulsar Digital Electronic Watch
    A wristwatch that shows the time as a number using electronics rather than mechanics

  • Motorola DynaTAC Cell Phone

    Motorola DynaTAC Cell Phone
    A phone that can make and receive calls while moving around.

  • Apple iPad Tablet

    Apple iPad Tablet
    A hand held tablet device with a touch screen, camera, microphone, wifi and mobile phone connection.