History of Computers VIP Notes for FIA Preparation

History of Computers VIP Notes for FIA Preparation

History of Computers 

Topics 

1. Definition of computer 
2. Earliest computer 
3. Computer History 
4. Computer Generations

Definition of Computer 

• Computer is a programmable machine. 
• Computer is a machine that manipulates data according to a list of instructions. 
• Computer is any device which aids humans in performing various kinds of computations or calculations. 

Definition of Computer 

Three principles characteristic of computer: 

1. It responds to a specific set of instructions in a welldefined manner.
2. It can execute a pre-recorded list of instructions. 
3. It can quickly store and retrieve large amounts of data. 

Earliest Computer 

• Originally calculations were computed by humans, whose job title was computers. 
• These human computers were typically engaged in the calculation of a mathematical expression. 
• The calculations of this period were specialized and expensive, requiring years of training in mathematics. 
• 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 to be used in that sense until the middle of the 20th century.

Tally Sticks 

A tally stick was an ancient memory aid device to record and document numbers, quantities, or even messages.

Abacus 

• An abacus is a mechanical device used to aid an individual in performing mathematical calculations. 
• The abacus was invented in Babylonia in 2400 B.C. 
• The abacus in the form we are most familiar with was first used in China in around 500 B.C. 
• It used to perform basic arithmetic operations.

Napier’s Bones 

• Invented by John Napier in 1614.
• Allowed the operator to multiply, divide and calculate square and cube roots by moving the rods around and placing them in specially constructed boards. 

Slide Rule 

Invented by William Oughtred in 1622. 

• Is based on Napier's ideas about logarithms. 

• Used primarily for 

1. multiplication 
2. division 
3. roots 
4. logarithms
5. Trigonometry 

• Not normally used for addition or subtraction.

Pascaline

• Invented by Blaise Pascal in 1642. 
• It was its limitation to addition and subtraction. 
• It is too expensive. 

Stepped Reckoner

• Invented by Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz in 1672. 
• The machine that can add, subtract, multiply and divide automatically.

Jacquard Loom

• The Jacquard loom is a mechanical loom, invented by Joseph-Marie Jacquard in 1881. 
• It an automatic loom controlled by punched cards.

Arithmometer

• A mechanical calculator invented by Thomas de Colmar in 1820, 
• The first reliable, useful and commercially successful calculating machine. 
• The machine could perform the four basic mathematic functions. 
• The first mass-produced calculating machine. 

Difference Engine and Analytical Engine

• It an automatic, mechanical calculator designed to tabulate polynomial functions.
• Invented by Charles Babbage in 1822 and 1834
• It is the first mechanical computer. 

First Computer Programmer

• In 1840, Augusta Ada Byron suggests to Babbage that he use the binary system. 
• She writes programs for the Analytical Engine.

Scheutzian Calculation Engine

• Invented by Per Georg Scheutz in 1843.
• Based on Charles Babbage's difference engine.
• The first printing calculator.

Tabulating Machine

• Invented by Herman Hollerith in 1890.
• To assist in summarizing information and accounting.

Havard Mark 1

• Also known as IBM Automatic Sequence Controlled Calculator (ASCC).
• Invented by Howard H. Aiken in 1943
• The first electro-mechanical computer. 

Z1

• The first programmable computer.
• Created by Konrad Zuse in Germany from 1936 to 1938.
• To program the Z1 required that the user insert punch tape into a punch tape reader and all output was also generated through punch tape. 

Atanasoff-Berry Computer (ABC)

• It was the first electronic digital computing device.
• Invented by Professor John Atanasoff and graduate student Clifford Berry at Iowa State University between 1939 and 1942

ENIAC

• ENIAC stands for Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer.
• It was the first electronic generalpurpose computer.
• Completed in 1946.
• Developed by John Presper Eckert and John W. Mauchl. 

UNIVAC 1

• The UNIVAC I (UNIVersal Automatic Computer 1) was the first commercial computer.
• Designed by J. Presper Eckert and John Mauchly.

EDVAC

• EDVAC stands for Electronic Discrete Variable Automatic Computer
• The First Stored Program Computer
• Designed by Von Neumann in 1952.
• It has a memory to hold both a stored program as well as data. 

The First Portable Computer

• Osborne 1 – the first portable computer.
• Released in 1981 by the Osborne Computer Corporation. 

The First Computer Company

• The first computer company was the Electronic Controls Company.
• Founded in 1949 by J. Presper Eckert and John Mauchly.

Computer Generations