History of computer

               Computer was invented because “necessity is the mother of invention”. Man always searched for a fast calculating device. It took a long time to invent the digital computer. A brief history behind the invention of computer is as follow.

ABACUS

                         The first computing device was ABACUS. It was developed in 600 B.C.  It was used to perform simple addition and subtraction. It consists of wooden beads. The beads could be move easily. Calculations were performed by moving these beads properly

John Napier’s Bone

                       Another manual calculation device was John Napier’s bone. It was a cardboard multiplication calculator. It was designed in the early 17^th century.

John Napier’s Bone

                       Another manual calculation device was John Napier’s bone. It was a cardboard multiplication calculator. It was designed in the early 17^th century.

Blaise Pascal

                                        The first mechanical adding machine wad invented by Blaise Pascal in 1642. It could only add and subtract numbers. Division and multiplication was done by repeated addition and subtraction.

Gottfield Wilhem Von Leibnitz

                                      In 1694, a German scientist Leibnitz a developed a calculating machine. It was the first calculator that could multiply and divide also.

Charles Xavier

              A French scientist Charles Xavier developed a machine that could perform addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.

Punched Board

              A French engineer Joseph developed punchboard system for power looms. It was used to create specific weaving pattern on cloths. Later on it was used in computing devices.

Charles Babbage

             In 1822, a mathematician Charles Babbage invented a “Difference Engine” for mathematical calculation. In 1842, he developed Analytical Engine that was automatic. This engine could perform 60 additions per minute

Herman Hollerith

            In 1889 Herman applied the idea of punchboards in computers. He used punch cards in computers for input and output.

Atanasoff

Atanasoff was a professor at Lowa University. He invented an electronic computer. He applied Boolean algebra to computer circuitry.

George Boole

      George Boole simplified binary system of algebra. His rule states that any mathematical equation can be stated simply as either true or false.

                     Different well known early computers are as follows

The mark 1 computer (1937-44)

          It is also known as Automatic sequence Controlled Calculator. It was first fully automatic calculating machine. It was designed by Howard A.Aiken of Harvard University. It was very reliable but huge in size

The ENIAC (1943-46)

       ENIAC stands for Electronic Numerical Integrator and Calculator. It was invented by J.P.Eckert and Hohn Mauchly in 1946. It was the first electronic computer. The ENIAC was very heavy and large in size. It consumed 140 kilowatts and capable of doing 500 additions per second.

The EDVAC (1946-52)

     EDVAC stand for Electronic Discrete Variable Automatic Calculator. It was developed by Dr. John Von Neumann. It could store instructions and data.

The UNIVAC

UNIVAC stands for Universal Automatic Computer. It was first digital computer. It was used in business and industries.

Commercial Computer

                The first commercial computer was 701. It was introduced by IBM (International Business Machines)