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Born
Zuse was born in Berlin-Wilmersdorf -
University
Started studying at the Technical University in Berlin-Charlottenburg and as he attends school he gets a job as an aircraft design engineer -
Degree Completion
He completed his civil engineering degree. -
Period: to
Z1
During this period, he invented an electromechanical binary computer 'Z1'; however, due to WWII bombings, it was completely destroyed (with no trace left behind). -
Z3 Created
A couple inventions after the ZI, came the Z3, which is considered to be the first fully functional, programmable, electromechanical, digital computer. Informal video of Z3 display in a museum: here -
Z3 Destroyed
Just like the Z1, the Z3 is destroyed due to the war. However, some remains are left. Informal video of Z3 display in a museum: here -
Zuse KG Company Founded
Zuse founded this company in Neukirchen starting with five employees. It was the first computer company in Germany. (logo in image) -
Period: to
Z4
After Zuse fled Germany with his Z4 and the remains of his Z3, he took refuge at the Federal Polytechnical Institute in Zurich Switzerland in 1950. Through 1955 the Z4 was used at the institute. -
Z4 Restoration
The first task of the Zuse KG was to restore the Z4 which survived the war. Several features were also added. It was then delivered to Zurich (back to the Federal Polytechnical Institute). (original Z4 is image) -
Z5
Another company (Leitz Company) ordered the production of the Z5. It was an extension of the Z4, with increased reliability. On it's competition it was able to be sold for 300,000 DEM, currently equivalent to about $171,000 now. It also was the first commercial computer in Europe. -
Period: to
Zuse KG Expands
The DFG (Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft) financially supported the provision of computers for universities.
The Z11 computer was sold to mostly the optical industry and universities in Germany.
Later, universities started to order the Z22 computers - a very flexible and cheap computer. -
Zuse KG has Financial Difficulties
1.The government wasn't supporting the computer industry.
2.There was competition by other computer manufactures such as IBM.
3.Mismanagement and the company was growing too fast
4.Mismanagement.
5.They relied solely on computer production for profit
6.Software production costs. -
Period: to
Zuse KG Repeatedly Bought
1964: Bought by Rheinstahl, then by BBC
1967: Finally, bought completely by the Siemens company -
Zuse KG is No More
The logo of Zuse KG is deleted and Zuse leaves the company, retires, and focuses on his painting hobby. -
Death
Zuse dies in Germany at the age of 85. -
Works Cited
1."Konrad Zuse." Kids.Net.Au - Encyclopedia Konrad Zuse. Kids.Net.Au, n.d. Web. 4 Oct. 2016.
2.Wallis, C. "Kanrad Zuse." Kanrad Zuse. California State University, n.d. Web. 4 Oct. 2016.
3."Zuse KG (1949-1964)." Zuse KG (1949-1964). N.p., n.d. Web. 04 Oct. 2016.
