The Invention of Computer and Its Significance in Human History
The Invention of Computer and its Significance in Human History
Abstract: In human history, there are lots of great inventions which made great effects to our life; we can even say, they dominated the development of human culture. This paper would say something about an effective invention which is fast developing and have the greatest influence on human society—computer and its history and significance. The writer believes, before people see computer as a convenient and useful tool even can’t leave it, it’s necessary to review its history of development and knowing its significance would make a good effect to the development in the future.
Key words: Computer; Development; IBM
Webster's Dictionary defines "computer" as any programmable electronic device that can store, retrieve, and process data."Who invented the computer?" is not a question with a simple answer. The real answer is that many inventors contributed to the history of computers and that a computer is a complex piece of machinery made up of many parts, each of which can be considered a separate invention.
In fact, the first computers were people! That is, electronic computers (and the earlier mechanical computers) were given this name because they performed the work that had previously been assigned to people. "Computer" was originally a job title: it was used to describe those human beings (predominantly women) whose job it was to perform the repetitive calculations required to compute such things as navigational tables, tide charts, and planetary positions for astronomical almanacs. Then the abacus, logarithms, Napier's Bones, slide rule, calculating clock, Pascaline, stepped reckoner, punched cards, Difference Engine, Analytic Engine, and so many fascinating machines were produced one by one.[1]
Now, we focus on the ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer). It was the direct forefather of the modern computer because the problems associated with its operation led to the development of
Abstract: In human history, there are lots of great inventions which made great effects to our life; we can even say, they dominated the development of human culture. This paper would say something about an effective invention which is fast developing and have the greatest influence on human society—computer and its history and significance. The writer believes, before people see computer as a convenient and useful tool even can’t leave it, it’s necessary to review its history of development and knowing its significance would make a good effect to the development in the future.
Key words: Computer; Development; IBM
Webster's Dictionary defines "computer" as any programmable electronic device that can store, retrieve, and process data."Who invented the computer?" is not a question with a simple answer. The real answer is that many inventors contributed to the history of computers and that a computer is a complex piece of machinery made up of many parts, each of which can be considered a separate invention.
In fact, the first computers were people! That is, electronic computers (and the earlier mechanical computers) were given this name because they performed the work that had previously been assigned to people. "Computer" was originally a job title: it was used to describe those human beings (predominantly women) whose job it was to perform the repetitive calculations required to compute such things as navigational tables, tide charts, and planetary positions for astronomical almanacs. Then the abacus, logarithms, Napier's Bones, slide rule, calculating clock, Pascaline, stepped reckoner, punched cards, Difference Engine, Analytic Engine, and so many fascinating machines were produced one by one.[1]
Now, we focus on the ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer). It was the direct forefather of the modern computer because the problems associated with its operation led to the development of
References: [1]A Brief History of Computers and Networks http://goldenink.com/computersandnetworks.shtml [2]The History of Computers http://inventors.about.com/library/blcoindex.htm [3]An Illustrated History of Computers Http://www.computersciencelab.com/ComputerHistory/Hi story.htm [4]The invention of the computer http://en.hnf.de/Permanent_exhibition/1st_floor/The_invention_ of_the_computer/The_invention_of_the_computer.asp [5]The first computers - Ideas, concepts and machines http://en.hnf.de/Permanent_exhibition/1st_floor/The_invention_of_the_computer/T_The_first_computers__Ideas_concepts_and_machines.asp [6]T_ENIAC http://en.hnf.de/Permanent_exhibition/1st_floor/The_invention_of_the_computer/T _ENIAC.asp [7]A Chronology of Computer History http://www.cyberstreet.com/hcs/museum/chron.htm ----------------------- [1] You can visit http://www.computersciencelab.com/ComputerHistory/History.htm for more details.