Evolution of computers

Characteristics of Computer

 Three principles characteristic of a computer are:

• They respond in a well-defined manner to a specific set of instructions.
• Even a list of pre-recorded instructions can be executed.
• Storage and retrieval of large amounts of data is possible.

 

Earliest Computer

 

• Earlier all calculations were computed by humans and their job title were computers.
• They were engaged in the calculation of a mathematical expression.
• Human computers requires years of training in mathematics and are expensive.
• In the year 1613 the word "computer" was recorded which meant the person who carried out calculations, or computations.
• Until the middle of the 20^th century, the word continued to be used in that sense.

 

Tally Sticks

• A tally stick was an ancient memory aid device.
• It is used to record and document numbers, quantities, or even messages.

 

Abacus 

• This was initially invented in Babylonia in 2400 B.C, to perform basic arithmetic operations.
• Abacus was first used in China in around 500 B.C.

 

 

Napier’s Bones

• Was invented by John Napier in the year 1614.
• It allows the operator to multiply, divide, calculate square and cube roots.

 

• Operations are performed by moving the rods around and placing them in specially constructed boards.

 

 

 

Slide Rule

• This is invented by William Oughtred in the year 1622.
• This slide rule was created based on Napier's ideas about logarithms.
• They help to perform multiplication, division, roots, logarithms and trigonometry.
• One main drawback is that they are not normally used for addition or subtraction.

 

 

Pascaline

• This is invented by Blaise Pascal in the year 1642.
• It was expensive and it is also restricted to addition and subtraction.

 

 

Stepped Reckoner

• This is invented by Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz in the year 1672 which can automatically add, subtract, multiply and divide.

 

 

Jacquard Loom

• The Jacquard loom was invented by Joseph-Marie Jacquard in the year 1881 which are created by an automatic loom controlled by punched cards.

 

 

 

Arithmometer

• A mechanical calculator invented by Thomas de Colmar in the year 1820 which could perform the four basic mathematic functions.

 

 

Difference Engine and Analytical Engine

 

• This was invented by Charles Babbage in the year 1822 and 1834.
• It is the first mechanical computer, designed to tabulate polynomial functions.

 

 

Scheutzian Calculation Engine

• This was invented by Per Georg Scheutz in the year 1843.
• This is the first printing calculator designed based on Charles Babbage's difference engine.

 

Tabulating Machine

• This machine was invented by Herman Hollerith in the year 1890.
• This is to help in summarizing information and accounting.

 

 

Havard Mark 1

• This is invented by Howard H. Aikenin in the year 1943, which is also known as IBM Automatic Sequence Controlled Calculator (ASCC).

 

 

Z1

• This is the first programmable computer invented by Konrad Zusein Germany from 1936 to 1938.
• Input is via punch tape inserted into a punch tape reader and all output was generated through punch tape.

 

 

Atanasoff-Berry Computer(ABC)

• It was the first electronic digital computing device which was invented by Professor John Atanasoff.

 

 

ENIAC

• It was the first electronic general-purpose computer where ENIAC stands for Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer.
• This was developed by John Presper Eckert and John W. Mauchl in the year 1946.

 

 

UNIVAC 1

• This was designed by J. Presper Eckert and John Mauchly where UNIVAC I(UNIVersal Automatic Computer 1) was the first commercial computer.

 

 

EDVAC (Electronic Discrete Variable Automatic Computer)

• This is the first stored program developed by Von Neumann in the year 1952 which has memory to hold both a stored program as well as data.

 

The First Portable Computer

• Osborne 1 is the first portable computer developed in the year 1981 by the Osborne Computer Corporation.

 

 

Recap

Characteristics of Computer

Three principles characteristic of computer

Earliest Computer

Tally Sticks - It is used to record and document numbers, quantities, or even messages.

Abacus - To perform mathematical calculations, they used abacus which is a mechanical device used to aid an individual.

Napier’s Bones - Operations are performed by moving the rods around and placing them in specially constructed boards.

Slide Rule - They help to perform multiplication, division, roots, logarithms and trigonometry.

Pascaline - It is restricted to addition and subtraction.

Stepped Reckoner - It which can automatically add, subtract, multiply and divide.

Jacquard Loom - Created by an automatic loom controlled by punched cards.

Arithmometer - It could perform the four basic mathematic functions.

Difference Engine and Analytical Engine

Scheutzian Calculation Engine - This is the first printing calculator.

Tabulating Machine - This is to help on summarizing information and accounting.

Havard Mark 1 - Which is known as IBM Automatic Sequence Controlled Calculator (ASCC).

Z1 - input is via punch tape into inserted into a punch tape reader and all output was generated through punch tape.

 

Atanasoff-berry computer(abc) - it was the first electronic digital computing device.

Eniac - it was the first electronic general-purpose computer.

Univac 1 - it was the first commercial computer.

Edvac - it has memory to hold both a stored program as well as data.

The first portable computer - osborne 1