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Invented by the Babylonians before Christ. it is an arrangement of beads on wires, and a way of counting. -
During the 17th century, Blaise Pascal invented a machine that could do simple calculations in addition, multiplication, division, and subtraction. His could add numbers up to 8 digits. -
John Napier invented a set of rods, which are known as "Napier's Bones". These rods were used to perform difficult calculations and could multiply, divide, and calculate to square roots and cube roots. -
He developed a weaving loom that utilized punched cards to recreate designs. This was a revolutionary step towards computer input. -
He invented the first machine that approximated the idea of "input-execution-output" and was called the "difference engine". It added and multiplied and built with gears and levers, and to be steam powered. It was to utilize punched cards or operator entry for input and was to record output on plates of soft metal. -
The punch card calculator was invented by Herman Hollerith to count the U.S. Census. The Census required more than seven years to count and because of the Hollerith machine, the Census was counted in just 6 weeks. -
Charles Babbage's son finished the central component or mill of his father's Analytical Engine. It was perfect! However, the machine was never entirely built. -
The electronic tube that he invented made the development of electronic computers possible. It is considered to be one of the three technological advances that are key to the development of the computer industry. -
Electronic machines were invented with the purpose to break German encryption codes. They were forerunners of modern computers, but built for one specific purpose and not use in general. -
Aiken developed a computer at Harvard University that was the first programmed controlled calculator. It worked from punched cards or paper tape. This was extremely close to being a fully operational computer. -
This computer was finished by Great Britain and was a very fast, general purpose machine. It took over the task of code-breaking. It worked from punched cards or paper tape. It was very close to being a fully operational computer. Ten of them were built. However, after WWII, they were all destroyed because the British Government was scared that the enemy nations would use them against the British Empire. -
This computer was finished in Great Britain during WWII. It took over the job of code breaking and was a general purpose computer. Ten of them were made, however, they were all destroyed by the British Government because they were scared the enemy nations would use them against the British Empire. -
Grace Hopper developed a high level language compiler. She found the first ever computer bug, which was a moth that was preventing the computer from properly functioning. -
In 1947, the transistor was developed. Each of them could do the work of several electronic tubes, and each was smaller than a postage stamp. These models that transistors replaced have been designated "first generation" computers and the transistors "second generation" computers. -
The transistor was a significant development. It could complete the work of several electronic tubes and was smaller than a postage stamp. Computers could now use less electricity, give off less heat, be smaller, and less expensive. It was developed by William B. Shockley, Walter H. Brattain, and John Bardeen.
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The integrated circuit was invented in 1958. It led to the introduction of the modern computer "chip", which is the same power as millions of transistors. The integrated circuit led to the "third generation" of computers. -
Microprocessors were developed in the early 1970s. They had the capabilities of many thousands of transistors. -
By 1975, computers were used in business everywhere. As they came down in price, they became more widespread. -
Cray 1 was the first supercomputer that was available to purchase. It is based on physics principles related to super cooling. The Cray 1 could do 150 million calculations per second. -
The Apple 1 was invented by Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak. They sold so many in just months of it being released. They developed the Apple II in 1977