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3000 BCE
The use of the abacus
The abacus was used in Babylon 2000 years before the Greeks used it for calculations -
Logarithms
Logarithms were invented by John Napier to help solve problems -
First ever calculator!
French philosopher Blaise Pascal invented the first calculator to help calculate taxes. Functions consisted of adding and subtracting. -
The Stepped Reckoner
Gottfried Wilhelm von Leibnitz invented this machine similar to Pascal but it could also multiply and divide. -
Input and output of data to control machinery
Joseph-Marie Jacquard used punched cards used in music boxes to invent a model which controlled his machinery. -
Blueprint of the modern computers
Charles Babbage designed the Difference Engine and Analytical Engine which was the blueprint used in the design of modern computers -
First computer programmer
Lady Augusta Ada helped Charles Babbage document his work and wrote programs to be run on his machines. -
Bletchley Park geniuses
During WW2 code breakers worked together at Bletchley Park using analytical models to crack enemy code. Two engineers who worked together here, Tommy Flowers and Alan Turing made progress in computers. Tommy invented the worlds first electronic, digital, programmable computer and Alan produced a paper proving that computers could be used for solving many problems. -
The Automatic Sequence Controlled Calculator
Built by Howard Aiken this computer used mechanical relays to represent mathematics. -
Introduction of COBOL language
Dr Grace Murray Hooper worked with Aiken and simplified programming, inventing the first programming language called COBOL. -
Making computers more reliable and smaller
Computers were too bulky and tended to overheat and blow up due to the valves they used. Jack Kilby invented the first integrated circuit which meant that computers became small and more reliable. These circuits were first used in calculators. -
Microelectronic revolution
This revolution allowed the circuit boards to be reduced from the size of a large cupboard to the size of a thumbnail. -
The arrival of Apple
Steve Jobs created Apple and in 1976 sold his first computer Apple I for $600. The Apple 2 was made much more user friendly with the introduction of Graphical User Interface. -
The arrival of Microsoft
At the age of 13, Bill Gates became interested in programming computers and sold his first computer. Whilst studying at Harvard University he developed a programming language. He later created Microsoft. -
Google
Larry Page and Sergey Grin invented the search engine Google. Originally called Backrub! -
Wikipedia
Wikipedia was formed by Larry Sanger and Jimmy Wales. -
YouTube
YouTube was created by Jawed Karim, Steve Chen and Chad Hurley. -
The latest iPhone........
Released in April 2020, the iPhone SE is the latest phone to be released by Apple.