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2400 BCE
Invention of the Abacus
The abacus, used by ancient civilizations like China and Egypt, is considered the first tool for performing arithmetic operations. -
820 BCE
Al-Khwarizmi's Algorithms
The Persian mathematician Al-Khwarizmi wrote foundational texts on algorithms and computation, giving rise to the term "algorithm". -
100 BCE
Antikythera Mechanism
An ancient Greek analog computer used to predict astronomical positions and eclipses decades in advance. -
Leibniz's Mechanical Calculator
Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz developed a mechanical calculator called the “Step Reckoner,” which could perform addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. -
Jacquard Loom
Joseph-Marie Jacquard invented a loom that used punched cards to control patterns in fabric weaving, influencing later computing technologies. -
Charles Babbage's Analytical Engine
Babbage designed a mechanical computer with features resembling modern computers, though it was never fully built in his lifetime. -
Ada Lovelace’s Algorithm
Ada Lovelace wrote the first algorithm intended for implementation on Babbage’s Analytical Engine, becoming the first computer programmer. -
George Boole’s Boolean Algebra
Boole published An Investigation of the Laws of Thought, laying the foundation for the binary logic used in digital circuits. -
Hollerith’s Tabulating Machin
Herman Hollerith developed a machine to process U.S. Census data using punched cards, reducing the time needed from 10 years to 2. -
Turing’s Universal Machine Concept
Alan Turing introduced the concept of a machine capable of simulating the logic of any other machine, forming the basis for modern computing theory. -
Zuse’s Z3: First Programmable Computer
Konrad Zuse built the Z3, the first programmable digital computer, used for solving engineering problems. -
ENIAC: First General-Purpose Computer
ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer) was completed in the U.S. to calculate artillery trajectories for the military. -
Invention of the Transistor
John Bardeen, Walter Brattain, and William Shockley at Bell Labs invented the transistor, transforming electronics by enabling smaller, faster devices. -
Development of FORTRAN
IBM released FORTRAN (FORmula TRANslation), one of the first high-level programming languages, aimed at scientific and engineering applications. -
Invention of the Integrated Circuit
Jack Kilby and Robert Noyce independently developed the integrated circuit, leading to the miniaturization of electronic components and computers