History of Computers

Tally System

Jan 1, 1000

This system was developed anywhere between 30,000-20,000BC. This was the first system that could store information.

Abacus

Jan 1, 1001

The abacus was developed around 3,000 BC. It was the first form of a calculator, using beads to perform equations.

Stepped Reckoner is Invented

Jan 1, 1670

This machine can do multiplication, division, and square roots. It was invented by Gottfried Leibniz.

Explication de l'Arithmétique Binaire Is Written

Jan 1, 1679

This article set the standard for the modern binary system. It was writted by Gottfried Leibniz.

Difference Engine

Jan 1, 1821

This machine could do calculations. It was concieved by Charles Babbage.

Telegraph

Jan 1, 1837

The telegraph could send messages over long distances, through wire. It was first invented by Samuel Morse.

Ada Byrons Notes

Jan 1, 1843

Ada Byron was considered to be the first computer programmer. In 1843, she wrote down the basis of computer programming under something simply titled, "Notes".

Key Driven Adding Machine

Jan 1, 1850

This was first invented by Du Bois D. Parmelee. It was operated with 9 keys and a sidebar.

Analytical Engine

Jan 1, 1856

This machine was created to do any math equation. It was also concieved by Charles Babbage.

Punched Paper Tape

Jan 1, 1857

This was a system used to send and store information. It did this by holes punched in the tape.

Typewriter

Jan 1, 1868

Although typewriters were in use as early as 1714, this was considered to be the first commercially successful one. It was invented by Christopher Latham Sholes, Carlos Glidden and Samuel W. Soule.

Mechanical Register

Nov 4, 1879

The mechanical register counts and stores money. It was first invented by bar owner James Jacob Ritty.

Electric Tabulating Machine

Jan 1, 1890

This system could sense the presence or absence of a hole in a punch card. It was invented by Herman Hollerith.

Z1 Computer

Jan 1, 1936

The Z1 computer was the first made by Konrad Zuse. It was a binary mechanical calculator that read instructions from punch tape.

Z2 Computer

Jan 1, 1939

This was the second computer Konrad Zuse made. It used electrical relay circuits to perform calculations.

Z3 Computer

Jan 1, 1941

This is the third computer built by Konrad Zuse. It was the also the first fully programmable one.

Colossus

Dec 1, 1943

The Colossus was a codebreaking machine. It was invented by the British engineer Tommy Flowers.

Z4 Computer

Jan 1, 1945

This was the last computer built by Zuse. It had 32 bit memory instead of 22.

Integrated Circuit

Sep 12, 1958

This was invented by Jack Kilby. It put all the components and the chip of a computer on the same semiconductive material.

First Computer Mouse

Jan 1, 1963

This was invented by Douglas Engelbart. It had the cord running out of the back of the mouse, instead of the front like today.

Altair

Dec 19, 1974

The Altair was considered to be the beginning of the microcomputer revolution. It had no keyboard or mouse, and was designed for hobbyists.

Apple I

Apr 11, 1976

This computer was first made by Steve Wosniak. It was the first personal computer.

Apple II

Apr 1, 1977

This was the second computer made by Wosniak. It featured a built in monitor unlike its predecessor.

IBM PC

Aug 12, 1981

This was the first personal computer released by IBM. It had open architecture, meaning anyone could copy and tweak it.

The World Wide Web

Jan 1, 1989

This was invented by Tim Berners-Lee. It is a world wide information medium.