Timeline: History of the computer

Jan 1, 1613

The word "computer" was first used (not exact date)

The word "computer" was first introduced in 1613 and was originally used to describe a human who did calculations. The definition of a computer had changed at the end of the 19th century when people realize machines are never tired and can perform calculations much faster and more accurately than any humans did.

Feb 26, 1837

First mechanical computer or automatic computing engine concept

In 1822, Charles Babbage began developing the Difference Engine, and it may be the first automatic computing engine. Unfortunately, due to lacking of fund, he never completed a full-scale functional version of this machine. Later, in 1837 Charles Babbage proposed the first general mechanical computer which it the Analytical Engine. It is the first general-purpose computer concept. Unfortunately, because of funding issues this computer was also never built until Charles Babbage's death. In 1910,

Feb 27, 1936

First programmable computer

Germany's Konrad Zuse originally created Z1in 1936 to 1938. It is considered to be the first electro-mechanical binary programmable computer and really the first functional computer.

Feb 27, 1936

First concepts of what we consider a modern computer

The Turing machine was first proposed by the Alan Turing in 1936 and became the modern concept about computing and computers. Without these fundamentals, we wouldn't have the computers we use today.

Feb 27, 1937

The first digital computer

John Vincent Atanasoff and Clifford Berry began working on creating the binary-based Atanasoff-Berry Computer. It is considered by most to be the first electronic digital computer.