A BRIEF HISTORY OF COMPUTER

Charles Babbage

Charles Babbage; 26 December 1791 – 18 October 1871)

was an English polymath. A mathematician, philosopher,
inventor and mechanical engineer, Babbage originated
the concept of a digital programmable computer.

Considered by some to be a "father of the computer”,

Babbage is credited with inventing the first mechanical
computer that eventually led to more complex electronic
designs, though all the essential ideas of modern
computers are to be found in Babbage's analytical
engine. His varied work in other fields has led him to be
described as "pre-eminent" among the many polymaths
of his century.

Parts of Babbage's incomplete mechanisms are on

display in the Science Museum in London. In 1991, a functioning difference engine was constructed from
Babbage's original plans. Built to tolerances achievable in the 19th century, the success of the finished
engine indicated that Babbage's machine would have worked.

The Babbage Engine

Charles Babbage (1791-1871), computer pioneer,

designed the first automatic computing engines. He
invented computers but failed to build them. The
first complete Babbage Engine was completed in
London in 2002, 153 years after it was designed.
Difference Engine No. 2, built faithfully to the
original drawings, consists of 8,000 parts, weighs five
tons, and measures 11 feet long.

The computer as we know it today had its beginning with a 19th century English mathematics professor
name Charles Babbage. He designed the Analytical Engine and it was this design that the basic
framework of the computers of today are based on. Generally speaking, computers can be classified into
three generations. Each generation lasted for a certain period of time, and each gave us either a new and
improved computer or an improvement to the existing computer.

First generation: 1937 – 1946 - In 1937 the first electronic digital computer was built by Dr. John V.
Atanasoff and Clifford Berry. It was called the Atanasoff-Berry Computer (ABC). In 1943 an electronic
computer name the Colossus was built for the military. Other developments continued until in 1946 the
first general– purpose digital computer, the Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer (ENIAC) was
built. It is said that this computer weighed 30 tons, and had 18,000 vacuum tubes which was used for
processing. When this computer was turned on for the first time lights dim in sections of Philadelphia.
Computers of this generation could only perform single task, and they had no operating system.

Second generation: 1947 – 1962 - This generation of computers used transistors instead of vacuum
tubes which were more reliable. In 1951 the first computer for commercial use was introduced to the
public; the Universal Automatic Computer (UNIVAC 1). In 1953 the International Business Machine (IBM)
650 and 700 series computers made their mark in the computer world. During this generation of
computers over 100 computer programming languages were developed, computers had memory and
operating systems. Storage media such as tape and disk were in use also were printers for output.

Third generation: 1963 - present - The invention of integrated circuit brought us the third generation of
computers. With this invention computers became smaller, more powerful more reliable and they are
able to run many different programs at the same time. In1980 Microsoft Disk Operating System (MS-Dos)
was born and in 1981 IBM introduced the personal computer (PC) for home and office use. Three years
later Apple gave us the Macintosh computer with its icon driven interface and the 90s gave us Windows
operating system.
 CONTRIBUTION IN OUR SCIENTIFIC DEVELOPMENT

How are Computers used in Science?

The advent of computers has contributed greatly to the fields of science. They have allowed for the
collection and recording of vast amounts of data. They allow scientists to store information indefinitely
and review it easily.

Data, Mathematics and Data Detection

Computers interact with science in several specific ways. The first one is dealing with collecting and
processing data. This is how the "Colossus" was used. Computers are also used in the field of
mathematics. Calculations are done that would take humans more than one lifespan to complete. The
computation of the digits of Pi is a good example. Finally, computers can be used as a method of
detecting data. Computers can be used to detect events that would easily pass the notice of the human
eye. High-speed photography can only be controlled with computer components and is a valuable asset.
A computer can sample information billions of times a second, which allows for scientific detection that
would otherwise be impossible. A pertinent example is the Large Hadron Collider; without computers
and the time-sensitive components involved, it would not be possible to record the data.

Automated Machines

Automated machines are machines that are controlled all or in part by a computer. Computer
automation is used mostly by industry in factories. However, it is also useful in science. Machines can be
used to run automated tests and complete simple tasks. One example of a machine used in science is the
robotic arm that is used to handle radioactive samples. These robotic arms allow the scientist to safely
handle and test a highly dangerous sample.

Data Sharing

The Internet, which was developed by scientists in conjunction with the government, has advanced the
progress of science in many ways. The first proof of the concept was shown in 1972 and, since then, it
has allowed for the vast dissemination of ideas and information. The Internet allows for almost
instantaneous sharing of data across any distance. This allows for easier collaboration with colleagues
anywhere in the world.