Computer history

Objectives:

1. Trace the history of computer.

2. Enumerate the computing devices used before the development of modern computer.
3. Describe each of the early computing devices/ machines.

Do you know that the first computer were women? The term computer was originally a job title and
these jobs were typically filled by women with Math degrees. The mechanical device was given the
name computer because it was intended to replace these workers.

Do you know that the first computer programmer was also a woman? But the computer for which she
wrote her programs was never finished. This was because it was the 1800’s and the computer was as big
as a house and powered by six steam engines.
From Stones to Easy Computing

The first tools used for calculation were man’s own fingers, and it is no coincidence that the Latin word
“digit” is used to refer a finger or toe as well as a numerical quantity.

As the need to represent larger numbers grows, early man employed readily available materials for the
purpose. Small stones and pebbles were used to represent larger numbers. Thus, it is no coincidence
that the word “calculate” was derived from the Latin word for pebble: calculus.

Abucus (1367) is the first known computer. It is made out of a wooded frame with beads on rods used
to do simple calculations. It was developed and introduced by the Chinese for business transactions and
for calculating money.

Napier’s Bones (1617) was the succeeding computer after Abacus. It was develop by a Scottish
mathematician John Napier. It is a calculating device used for multiplication and division with the use of
a foldable tube for multiplying and dividing large numbers.
The Pascaline (1642) was invented to add and subtract large numbers. It comes with an eight rotating
gears with each wheel representing places in the decimal system.

Leibniz’s Calculator (1694) is and improved Pascaline machine developed by Gottfried Leibnitz. This is a
device made of copper and steel. It can multiply, divide, add and subtract numbers.
Jacquard’s Loom (1801) uses punch cards to program designs on fabrics and carpets, making it easier to
be woven. It is invented by Joseph Marie Jacquard. Punch cards continued to be used in the early
computers of 1990’s.

Difference Engine (1892) was an automatic, mechanical calculator designed to tabulate polynomial
functions. Both logarithmic and trigonometric functions that can be approximated by polynomials, the
difference engine can compute many useful sets of numbers.

Analytical Engine (1837) is a design of a mechanical general-purposes computer designed by British

Mathematician, Charles Babbage. Although never completed, in its logical design, the machine was
essentially modern, anticipating the first completed general-purpose computer.
Tabulating Machine (1890) was invented by, an American inventor, designed to have a coding scheme
and a mechanical tabulating machine. This machine uses a punched card that can be electronically read
to process high volumes of data. Hollerith’s machine helped in counting censuses in many countries.

From Gigantic to Modest

ENIAC (1936) (Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer) was the first electronic digital computer.
It is a big and noisy computer because it was operated by thousands of vacuum tubes. It can perform
long calculation in an hour. It was developed by John William Mauchly.
Mark 1 (1944) was a computer a bit smaller than ENIAC. It is operated by thousands of
electromechanical switches that can perform three long calculations per second. It was developed by
Howard Aiken.

Microcomputers are the present computers that are easily transferred from one place to another. These
are now being used in schools, malls, banks and even at home. These computers come in small sizes
work fast, easy to run and reasonable in term of price. It is known today as Personal Computer (PC).
IBM Company was the first company to extend microcomputers.