Significant Advances in the Computer

  • First use of the word Computer

    It was used to describe someone who could do calculations quickly.
  • Charles Babbage makes the Difference Engine

    This computer was not electronic.
  • Charles Babbage proposed the first general mechanical computer

    The Analytical Engine contained an Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU), basic flow control, and integrated memory and is the first general-purpose computer concept.
  • The Z1 was created by Konrad Zuse

    He created it in his parents living room. It is considered the first functional computer.
  • Alan Turing created the Turing Machine

    The machine was a device that printed symbols on paper tape in a manner that emulated a person following a series of logical instructions. Without these fundamentals, we wouldn't have the computers we use today.
  • The Atanasoff-Berry Computer was developed by Professor John Vincent Atanasoff and Cliff Berry

    The Atanasoff-Berry Computer was also referred to as ABC. It started with Atanasoff and Berry but it continued to be developed at the Iowa State College.
  • The first commercial computer

    Gonrad Zuse created the Z4 which was considered the first commercial computer.
  • The Colosuss was created by Tommy Flowers

    It was the first electric programmable computer. It was created to help the British code breakers read encrypted German messages.
  • J. Presper Eckert and John Mauchly invented the ENIAC

    Many still consider ENIAC the first digital computer because it was fully functional. It was not complete until 1946.
  • EDSAC was created

    It's considered to be the first stored program electronic computer. It was the computer that ran the first graphical computer game, nicknamed "Baby".
  • The first computer company was founded by J. Presper Eckert and John Mauchly

    The first computer company was called Electronic Controls Company The company was later renamed to EMCC or Eckert-Mauchly Computer Corporation.
  • The first stored program cpmputer

    It was called UNIVAC 1101 and is considered to be the first computer that was capable of storing and running a program from memory.
  • First Scientific Computer

    IBM released the 701.
  • First Computer with RAM

    MIT introduces the Whirlwind, the first computer with RAM and real-time graphics.
  • The First Transistor Computer

    The TX-O was the first transistorized computer.
  • The First Mini-Computer

    Digital Equipment Corporation released its first PDP computer, the PDP-1.
  • The First Mass-Market and Desktop Computer

    Hewlett Packard marketed the first mass-marketed PC and the first desktop computer, the HP 9100A.
  • The first Microprocessor

    Intel introduced the first microprocessor, the Intel 4004.
  • Federal Judge Earl R. Larson signed his decision on the ENIAC patent

    He decided that the ENIAC was invalid and named the ABC the first digitial computer.
  • The First Work Station

    Although it was never sold, the Xerox Alto is considered to be the first workstation.
  • The First Personal Computer

    Ed Roberts introduced the Altair 8800.
  • The London Science Museum creates the Difference Engine No. 2

    They created for the bicenttenial of Babbages Birth