Brief History of Computer
A Brief History of Computer
Nikita Rechal1 and Sooriyan Aliyoglu2
1Department of Computer Engineering, Castle University, New City, Cyprus
a.orther@xx.yy.zz
2MediDeniz Software, Old Street, New York, USA
a.etherwen@zzz.com
Abstract
Computers have wedged themselves into every facet of our lives—they are what we would use as the symbolic representation of the modern world. But did you know that the history of computers dates back to the 1800s?Indeed, the history and evolution of computers is quite extraordinary—and with many early computing technology innovations tied to defense contracts, much of this information were kept secret from the public for decades. In this article, we explore the development and progression of computers.
Keywords
Computer, History of Computer,
History of Computer:
A computer is a general purpose device that can be programmed to carry out a finite set of arithmetic or logical operations. Since a sequence of operations can be readily changed, the computer can solve more than one kind of problem. The first use of the word "computer" was recorded in 1613, referring to a person who carried out calculations, or computations, and the word continued with the same meaning until the middle of the 20th century. From the end of the 19th century the word began to take on its more familiar meaning, a machine that carries out computations.
Mid-1800s-1930s: Early Mechanical Computers
The first computers were designed by Charles Babbage in the mid-1800s, and are sometimes collectively known as the Babbage Engines. These include the Difference Engine No. 1, the Analytical Engine, and the Difference Engine No. 2.
(The Difference Engine was constructed from designs by Charles Babbage.)
1930s: Electro-Mechanical Computers
Electro-mechanical computers generally worked with relays and/or vacuum tubes, which could be used as switches.
Some electro-mechanical computers—such as the Differential Analyzer built in 1930—used purely mechanical
Nikita Rechal1 and Sooriyan Aliyoglu2
1Department of Computer Engineering, Castle University, New City, Cyprus
a.orther@xx.yy.zz
2MediDeniz Software, Old Street, New York, USA
a.etherwen@zzz.com
Abstract
Computers have wedged themselves into every facet of our lives—they are what we would use as the symbolic representation of the modern world. But did you know that the history of computers dates back to the 1800s?Indeed, the history and evolution of computers is quite extraordinary—and with many early computing technology innovations tied to defense contracts, much of this information were kept secret from the public for decades. In this article, we explore the development and progression of computers.
Keywords
Computer, History of Computer,
History of Computer:
A computer is a general purpose device that can be programmed to carry out a finite set of arithmetic or logical operations. Since a sequence of operations can be readily changed, the computer can solve more than one kind of problem. The first use of the word "computer" was recorded in 1613, referring to a person who carried out calculations, or computations, and the word continued with the same meaning until the middle of the 20th century. From the end of the 19th century the word began to take on its more familiar meaning, a machine that carries out computations.
Mid-1800s-1930s: Early Mechanical Computers
The first computers were designed by Charles Babbage in the mid-1800s, and are sometimes collectively known as the Babbage Engines. These include the Difference Engine No. 1, the Analytical Engine, and the Difference Engine No. 2.
(The Difference Engine was constructed from designs by Charles Babbage.)
1930s: Electro-Mechanical Computers
Electro-mechanical computers generally worked with relays and/or vacuum tubes, which could be used as switches.
Some electro-mechanical computers—such as the Differential Analyzer built in 1930—used purely mechanical
References: 1) http://www.time.com/time/photogallery/0,29307,1956593_2029011,00.html 2) http://inventors.about.com/library/blcoindex.htm 3) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer 4) http://sixrevisions.com/resources/the-history-of-computers-in-a-nutshell/ 5) http://www.hitmill.com/computers/computerhx1.html by: Md. Shabbir Jahan southeast university bangladesh