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In 1820, Charles Thomas de Colmar invented the Arithmometer, the first widespread, practical calculator that saw commercial use. It could perform addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division. It was able to perform multiplication or division by simply adding or subtracting a number many times in a row. -
Dr. John W. Mauchly created the Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer to help the military calculate artillery tables. The ENIAC could complete a table in 30 seconds, 2,400 times faster than a human could. Programs were not stored in memory, but instead determined by the configuration of the plugboard on the outside of the machine. It was the first programmable, electronic digital computer and had conditional branching. -
Douglas Engelbart showed the Mother of all Demos on this day when he revealed his Graphical User Interface which allowed users to interact directly with the computer using a mouse and keyboard instead of through punch cards. This new style of computer revolutionized how computers were made from then on, and are still made in this day. This project would not be able to have been done in this method without the use of a GUI. -
In 1975, the Altair 8800 was the primary personal computer being used by hobbyists, and had a BASIC interpreter created by (and stolen from) Microsoft. The next year would see Steve Wozniak create the Apple I. Apple would go on to become one of the most popular computer brands. These early personal computers allowed for the general public to use and customize computers without working for a university or the government. -
Broadband is a type of high-speed Internet connection that became popular in the mid 2000's. It allowed for speeds that could transfer immense files such as photos, video, and music. Broadband also did not require a phone line to use, freeing access to the phone while using the Internet. The information being found on the Internet began to grow in size along with its user base. -
Notes:
* I had to use an older version of the textbook for the first assignment as my copy of the book has not arrived. Sources:
* https://americanhistory.si.edu/collections/search/object/nmah_690692
* https://www.britannica.com/technology/ENIAC
* https://www.livingcomputers.org/Computer-Collection/Vintage-Computers/Microcomputers/MITS-Altair-8800.aspx -