History of Computer

History of Computer

The history of computer starts from 4000 year ago. History of computer means the gradual change in
the concept over a long period of time. Around fifth century, Hindu philosophers developed a new
method of counting from 0 to 9. Counting from the numbers from 0 to 9 can be performed with the
help of figures. The development of counting started from the development of simple counting
device called ABACUS.

ABACUS

It is the early counting and calculating device that was
developed by the Chinese people. The ABACUS was first used
for computations in 3000 B.C. It has wooden frame on which
there were strings. The frame was divided into two parts,
heaven and earth, by a mid-bar.

Napier's bones

In 1614 AD, Scottish mathematician John Napier discovered the
concept of logarithms. In 1617 AD, he constructed a set of rods
called Napier Bones fordoing mathematical calculation easily.

Slide Rule

After the invention of logarithm in 1617 AD, William Oughtred
invented the slide Rule in 1620. This device was mode on the
principle of logarithms. This device consists of two graduated
scales, one small and other large one.

Pascal's calculating / adding machine
It was developed by Blasé1 Pascal in 1642. It was a mechanical
calculator that used toothed wheel and gears. It was also called
as Pascaline. It was used to add, subtract, multiply, and divide.

Leibniz's calculator:

It was made by a German philosopher Gottrified Wilhem Von Leibniz (G.V. Leibniz) in 1671 AD.
It was based on Pascal's principal. But it used gears, toothed wheels and drums -It was able to add,
subtract and even find square roots. It works on the principle that multiplication and division can be
done by repetitive addition and subtraction of numbers. It was also called as Stepped Reckonor.Gottrified Wilhem Von Leibnize Blaise Pascal 

Difference Engine:

In 1822 AD, an English mathematician (Professor of
Mathematics at Cambridge University) invented a
machine called Difference Engine with mechanical
memory to store results.

Analytical Engine:

It was also developed by Charles Babbage in 1830s. It consisted of the input unit for taking data and
instructions, mill for performing calculation, memory (punched card) with a suitable output device
that was used in giving the final result. It was designed to calculate
up to 20 decimal places. The same principle of Analytical Engine is
used in the modern computer. So he is called as the "Father of
Computer". Using the principles of Charles Babbage, about 100
years later, Mark - I was developed by Howard Aiken in 1937.

Lady Augusta Ada Lovelace:

One of the great supports of Charles Babbage was Lady Augusta
Ada (the daughter of famous poet, Lord Byron). She convinced Babbage to
use binary concept in this Analytical Engine. So she is remembered as the
"First programmer" in the history of computer science and has to her credit
a computer language called ADA named after her.

Dr, Herman Hollerith:

He was the first person to use punched card practically on his
Census tabulating Machine in 1880s. The information is
stored as holes in cards, which are interpreted by machines
with electrical sensors. The card was punched by machine
called Punched Card Machine or Hollerith's Tabulating
Machine.

MARK-I (Howard Aiken):

In the late 1930s, next important event was added in the history of
computer the electromechanical computer was born with the
development of MARK-I in 1944 by Howard akin with the help of
IBM. It also used the punched card designed for Difference Engine.
It was 51 ft long, 8 ft high and 13 ft wide.

Electronic Numerical Integrator and Calculator (ENIAC):

It is the first electronic computer that was development by
John Mouchlay and John Presper Eckert in 1947. It was
based on the decimal number system.
18,000 vacuum tubes were used in ENIAC. There were
70,000 resistors, 10,000 condensers and 6,000 switches.

Electronic Discrete Variable Automatic Computer (EDVACE)

In 1949, the first electronic was development by John
Mauchly and John.
Prosper Eckert with the help of A. Burks, Goldstine and
Neumann. This machine was used to store the data and
information as will as the instruction.

UNIVAC-I (Universal Accounting Computer):

John Mauchly and Eckert founded their own
company in 1946 and began to work on the Universal
Automatic Computer (UNIVACE): general - purpose
commercial computer in 1951. It was the first
commercially used electronic computer in the world.