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The History of Computers
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John Napier
A Sottish mathemation invented a set of rods, know as "Napier's Bones" that were used to preform complex calculations. The rods could divide, multiply, and find square and cube roots. -
Frenchman Blaise Pascal
Created a machine that could add numbers up to 8 digits. -
Joseph-Marie Jacquard
Developed a weaving loom that used punched cards to replicate designs. This was a huge step for computer input. -
Charles Babbage
Created the "difference engine." Which was a glorified adding and and multiplication machine. It was used to punch cards or operator entry for input, and it was to record output on soft metal plates. This was the first machine that approximated the idea of a computuer. -
Herman Hollerith
Herman created a punch card calculator to count the U.S Census. Becuse of Hollerith's machine the Census was created in just six weeks. Compared to the 1880 Census that required more than seven years to count. Herman Hollerith also was the creator/owner of IBM. -
Herchel Babage
Charles Babage's son Herchel Babage completed the central component to his fathers Analytical Engine. It worked perfectly, however the machine was never bulit. Even though the machine was never built the ideas behind them opended doors for the design of a computational machine. -
Lee De Forest
Lee De Forest invented the electronic tube. This tube made it possible for the development of electronic computers. This invention is considered to be apart of the three techonlogical advances that are key to the transistor and the integrated circuit. -
Electronic Machines for Breaking German Encryption Codes
A need for a faster machine arose and was created in 1939. These electronic machines were created for breaking German Encrypotion codes. These machines were similar to modern computers, but were used for a specific purpose. -
Colossus
A computer named "Colossus" was created in Great Britain. This computer was used for code-breaking. It was an extremely fast machince. All of the Colossus computers were destroyed by the British governent from fear that enemy nations would use them agianst the British. -
Howard H. Aiken
A t Havard University Howard H. Akien created a computer. This was the first programmed controlled calculator. It was worked by punch cards or paper tape. This creation wad very close to being a fully operational computer. -
Bell Laboratories
Three engineers created the Transistor. A Transistor could do the work of several electronic tubes, and each was smaller than a postage stamp. This helped computers be able to use less electricity, give off less heat, be made smaller, and less expensive than the old tube models. Transistor Models are considered to be the "second generation" computers, -
"Chip"
Computing was changed forever by the invention of the integrated circuit. This led to the modern day computer "chip" which contains the power of millions of transistors. This intergrated circuit lead to the "third generation." -
Grace Hopper
Grace Hopper developed a high level language compiler. Her work was extremely important in the early years of computing. She even found the first computer bug! Wich is the term for errors in computer programs or operations. -
Steve Jobs and Steven Woziank
Steve Jobs and Steven Woziank created a new microcomputer. They built a housing which included a keyboard for input. They called their new computer the Apple I. They sold so many computers that they had enough money to develop an even faster, more powerful computer: Apple II, which was released in 1977. -
Cray 1
The Cray 1 was the first super computer what was available for purchase. This computer was based upon physics principles related to supercooling. The Cray 1 could perform 150 million calcuations per second. -
PET
Commodore Business Machines introduced its first personal computer called PET. Which had features similar to the Apple. The Secert to Commodore's success was good engineering, a good selection of software, and a low price. -
8086 Microprocessor
This microprocessor added more power and speed to personal computing. The IBM Corporation watched as personal computer system sales skyrocketed. Today, IBM "compatibles" make up 75% of existing personal computers.
