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Pascal's Calculator
Blaise Pascal, a 17th century mathematician and physicist, is credited with the development of the first mechanical calculator, designed to help his father with tax calculations (Educalc.net). The calculator could perform basic addition, subtraction, division and multiplication. It's development paved the way for more sophisticated mechanical calculators centuries later. -
The Cash Register
A much more advanced calculating machine devised by James Ritty in 1879. It became a staple in many businesses, managing the a businesses' cash, printing receipts, and safeguarding cash from thieving employees . One fun fact is that the first cash register, the Ritty Model I, only had one customer, a certain John H. Patterson from Ohio (Vox). -
The ENIAC
The ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer) was developed in 1946 by Dr. John W. Mauchly and his team in an effort to calculate munition trajectories and help supplement the war effort. The ENIAC was the first electronic, programmable computer. According to the Smithsonian Magazine, the ENIAC, unlike other models, could "...be easily programmed for different tasks (Levy)." Pieces of the computer are still on display at the Smithsonian( Levy). -
Introduction of the Microprocessor
The microprocessor was developed in the late 60's and early 70's by Intel and serves as the central processing unit (CPU) of a computer tasked with performing arithmetic and logic operations (Wardynski). The first microprocessor was the intel 4004. Today, almost all of our devices contain a microprocessor in them. Interestingly, CPUs before the microprocessor were massive. Without this piece of innovative tech, we wouldn't have smartphones, laptops, or self driving cars! -
The Personal Computer
The personal computer brought with it the ability for individuals to have their own multiuse computer in their own homes. There were many iterations of the personal computer, one of which was the Apple II, introduced during the late 70's under the development of Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak. The Apple II contained a MOS6502 CPU, 4 KB of RAM, and a BASIC interpreter (National Museum of American History). Now almost everyone has some iteration of a personal computer at their disposal. -
Sources
Information:
Pascal's Calculator: https://www.educalc.net/196488.page
Cash Register: https://www.vox.com/2014/12/12/11633760/how-the-cash-register-evolved-from-abacus-to-ipad
Eniac: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/the-brief-history-of-the-eniac-computer-3889120/
Microprocessor: https://www.brainspire.com/blog/what-is-a-microprocessor-and-how-does-it-work
Apple II: https://americanhistory.si.edu/collections/search/object/nmah_334638 -
Images
Pascal's Calculator: https://www.educalc.net/196488.page
The Cash Register: https://www.historyofinformation.com/detail.php?id=519
ENIAC: https://www.lifewire.com/what-is-eniac-4172242
The Microprocessor: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microprocessor#/media/File:TI_TMS1000NLL_1.jpg
Apple II: https://americanhistory.si.edu/collections/search/object/nmah_334638
