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1300 BCE
The Abacus
The Abacus is know to be the most ancient calculating device. Even thought time has progressed and technology advanced as far as it has the Abacus has still managed to stay around and be prevalent. The inventor of the Abacus was blind a so he created it to help himself and others who were unable to see. Sources: https://www.sutori.com/story/history-of-computers--Ef49vK2TyFznDspzHRz2W1He
https://www.interestingfactsfun.com/list-of-most-interesting-facts-about-the-abacus/ -
Napier's Bones
The rods in the tool were made of bone, ivory, wood, or metal. Napier's Bones were a very popular tool in England and most of western Europe because most people lacked the skills themselves. Napier the inventor of the tool also made the use of decimals common. Sources: https://www.encyclopedia.com/computing/news-wires-white-papers-and-books/napiers-bones
http://www.10-facts-about.com/John-Napier/id/1585 -
Slide Rule
There are multiple different styles of slide rulers. Some of the slide rulers were made for specific types of math. Along with being a math mathematician William Oughtred was also a clergyman. Sources: https://sliderulemuseum.com/SR_Course.htm -
Pascaline
The Pascaline was the world's first fully functional mechanical calculator. He founded the theory of probability while solving gambling problems with his friend. The calculator was more often used a conversation piece than its true purpose. Sources: https://learnodo-newtonic.com/blaise-pascal-facts
https://www.thocp.net/hardware/pascaline.htm -
Stepped Reckoner
The Stepped Reckoner expanded upon the pascaline and the creators ideas. Leibniz was a big advocate for the use of the binary system. Leibniz became one of the most productive inventors of mechanical calculators. Sources: https://www.britannica.com/technology/Step-Reckoner -
Jacquard Loom
The loom was first designed to weave designs into cloth. It was also recognized as the first machine to employ punch card technology. Joseph was also not just an inventor but also a merchant Sources: https://biography.yourdictionary.com/joseph-marie-jacquard -
Arithmometer
Was the first commercially successful calculating machine capable of performing addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. The Arithmometer was based of Leibniz's earlier designs. While staying with the army and needing to do a lot of calculations conceived the idea of the Arithmometer. Sources: https://www.ibm.com/ibm/history/exhibits/attic2/attic2_059.html -
Difference and Analytical Engines
Analytical engine, generally considered the first computer. By the time his funding ran out babbage was able to create a revolutionary design. Babble designed the first concept for the programmable computer. Sources: https://www.britannica.com/technology/Analytical-Engine -
Scheutzian Calculation Engine
Scheutz invented the first printing calculator with his son. Was an improved model of Charles Babbage designs. Scheutz was not just an inventor but also a lawyer. Source: http://www.computinghistory.org.uk/det/5933/Scheutz-invents-the-first-printing-calculator/ -
Tabulating Machine
Created in order to make the 1890 U.S. easier. The machine used punch cards to store information with by categorization. Hollerith founded the Tabulating machine company that later became known as IBM. Source: https://kids.kiddle.co/Tabulating_machine -
Z1
The Z1 was the first freely programmable computer in the world which used Boolean logic and binary floating point numbers, however it was unreliable in operation. It was completely funded by private funding. Zuse was often regarded as the father of the modern computer. Source: https://kids.kiddle.co/Konrad_Zuse
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Z1_(computer) -
EDVAC
Unlike the ENIAC the EDVAC used binary and was able to store programs. The EDVAC used automatic addition, subtraction, multiplication, and programmed division. Neumann was critical in the building of the first atomic bomb. Source: https://kids.kiddle.co/EDVAC
https://www.softschools.com/facts/scientists/john_von_neumann_facts/1628/ -
Havard Mark 1
The Havard Mark one is room sized, relay based calculator. Was an early protocomputer built during WW2. Aiken's computer was first used by the U.S. Navy. Source: https://www.famousbirthdays.com/people/howard-aiken.html
https://www.britannica.com/technology/Harvard-Mark-I -
ENIAC
Was the first computer to take full advantage of electronic processing speeds. Originally designed for the production of ballistic tables for WW2. Eckert established a computer manufacturing firm. Source: https://technical.ly/philly/2011/02/15/eniac-10-things-you-should-know-about-the-original-modern-super-computer-65-years-later/
https://www.britannica.com/biography/J-Presper-Eckert-Jr -
The transitor
It is like a miniature on and off switch allowing the computer to process information. Early transistors were used to amplify audio signals. The first commercial device to use the transistor was a hearing aid. Source: https://www.svconline.com/news/fascinating-facts-about-transistors-370620 -
UNIVAC
Was the U.S. first commercially available computer. Ushered in the new era of large, mass produced computing equipment. Eckert and Mauchly made this computer architecturally different from there original one. Source: https://www.britannica.com/technology/UNIVAC -
FORTRAN
Became the first standard computer language. Still in use more than 50 years later. Fortran liberated computers from the exclusive realm of programmers and opened them to nearly everybody else. Source: https://www.ibm.com/ibm/history/ibm100/us/en/icons/fortran/ -
COBOL
COBOL is one of the oldest programming languages. 2 Trillion dollars was spent on the COBOL. 5 billion line of new COBOL are produced each year Source: https://www.eweek.com/enterprise-apps/20-things-you-might-not-know-about-cobol-as-the-language-turns-50 -
Computer Chip
The transistors found on chips can be turned off and on at an unthinkable rate. There are hundreds of millions of transistors on each chip. Kilby had patents for many inventions. Source: https://www.howitworksdaily.com/top-five-facts-microchips/ -
The Mouse
The mouse was named so as its resemblance to a mouse. There are three types of mouse. Along with the mouse he developed GUI and groupware. Source: https://patch.com/new-jersey/bridgewater/5-facts-about-the-computer-mouse
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Douglas-Engelbart -
The Floppy Disk
Floppy disks were popular from the 1970's to the 1990's. Eventually with time the disks became smaller. Shugart was known as the king of the disk drive industry. Source: https://www.britannica.com/technology/floppy-disl
http://theinventors.org/library/weekly/aa110198.htm -
Ethernet
The Ethernet was inspired by the Aloha net. Ethernet was named after luminiferous ether. Metcalfe formulated metcalfes law. Source: https://www.networkworld.com/article/2166255/10-things-you-may-not-know-about-ethernet.html
https://factrepublic.com/facts/12132/ -
TRS-80
Was a cheap computer that would attract new buyers. Beat apple for a time in sales. Tandy is often credited with pioneering the idea of mass market personal computers. Source: https://time.com/3968790/tandy-trs-80-history/ -
Apple 2
The apple 2 could support graphics and color monitor. External storage was originally a cassette tape but was switched to an external floppy disk drive. There were 8 expansion slots on the motherboard. Source: https://americanhistory.si.edu/collections/search/object/nmah_334638 -
Molecular Informatics
The program brings together a collaborative interdisciplinary community to explore completely new approaches to store and process information. Molecular informatics aim to discover and define future opportunities for molecules in information storage and processing. Source: https://www.darpa.mil/program/molecular-informatics -
IBM Acorn
Was not a microcomputer. It used a processor IBM developed. However from a users standpoint it made little difference. Source: https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2017/06/ibm-pc-history-part-1/ -
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft's original windows used a 16 bit system. The first windows allowed for easier access to apps. It was less than 1MB in size. Source: https://www.gadgetsnow.com/slideshows/microsoft-windows-turns-30-12-interesting-facts/Less-than-1MB-in-size/photolist/49854907.cms -
Mac OS X
Originally known as the Macintosh Operating System. The term Mac OS first appeared in the splash screen. The X in OS X name is the roman numeral for 10. Source: https://kids.kiddle.co/Mac_OS -
Iphone
The iPhone wasn't originally supposed to be a smartphone. Steve jobs actually told his engineers to explore the idea of touchscreen and tablets. Later the engineers came with some prototype to Steve jobs of their touchscreen tablet. Source: https://tech25s.com/25-facts-about-iphone/ -
Chromebook
Chrome Os is based on Linux. Chrome Os is not just a browser. Everything on your Chromebook is tied to your google account. Source: https://www.howtogeek.com/356474/8-things-you-may-not-know-about-chromebooks/
