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Ancient counting device first used by Babylonians, later improved by Chinese; a precursor to calculators.
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John Napier invented rods to simplify multiplication/division; early math aid
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Blaise Pascal’s mechanical device added and subtracted numbers up to 8 digits.
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Used punched cards to control weaving—early form of programmable machine.
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Charles Babbage’s design for an automatic calculator using gears.
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Babbage’s unrealized vision for a programmable computer with memory and input/output.
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Used punched cards for U.S. Census; major step in automated data processing.
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Invented by Lee De Forest; allowed electronic signal control and led to early computers.
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Replaced vacuum tubes; smaller, cooler, more reliable—enabled modern electronics.
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First commercial business computer in the U.S.; used for census and corporations
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Jack Kilby’s chip combining transistors and wiring; launched chip-based computing.
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Smaller, faster, cheaper computers that we still use to this day.
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First microprocessor to fit a whole CPU on one chip—made small, affordable computers possible.
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First CPU on a chip; created by Marcian Hoff, powering calculators and early computers.
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First computer with GUI, mouse, and networking; never released publicly
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Let users click on icons and windows instead of typing—made computers easy for everyone to use.
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Popular DIY personal computer; inspired hobbyists like Bill Gates and Steve Jobs.
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The first supercomputer sold to the public—could do 150 million calculations per second using supercooled circuits.
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Built by Steve Wozniak and distributed by Steve Jobs; first Apple computer sold as a fully assembled motherboard.
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Included color graphics, sound, and keyboard; major leap for home computers.