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3000 BCE
The Abacus
The Chinese abacus was the first invention used for counting and calculating numbers. This invention has helped us count/calculate faster and was our first advance in computer technology. -
The Pascaline Calculator
The first mechanical calculator, the Pascaline was created by Blaise Pascal in 1642. It was a more advanced version of the abacus, and it was another technological advance toward a computer. -
The Leibniz Calculator
Inspired by the Pascaline calculator, Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz created his own version which could perform all three arithmetic operations (+,-,x,/). His invention contributed to the start of the basic concept of binary and is considered the first computer scientist. -
The Difference Engine
Charles Babbage, the father of the computer, created the difference engine after finding that operations are done in a pattern that can be repeated. He started with engines which led to this invention which was powered by steam. The difference engine was yet another advance toward computers. -
The Analytical Engine
An elaboration on the difference engine, the analytical engine was able to calculate operations in non numeric order with the addition of conditional control. It could also store memory through punch cards and would've been a functioning and mechanical computer but unfortunately was incomplete due to lack of funding. This was also created by Charles Babbage.
