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What is a Computer?A device for processing, storing and
displaying information Computer. (2009). Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved May 10, 2010, from
http://search.eb.com/eb/article?tocId=235927
Basically any device that can help you do mathIe. it helps “compute” equations
The PrecursorsAbacus or Counting BoardThought to be from 1100 BCE
Babylonia (modern day Iraq)Oldest known is the Salamis
Tablet (circa 300 BCE)Didn’t do the equation for you
You do the math in your head The board acts as a place holder
Fernandes, L. (August 30, 2007). The Abacus: A brief history. May 19, 2010 from http://www.ee.ryerson.ca/~elf/abacus/history.html
Abax from http://www.mlahanas.de/Greeks/Kythera.htm
Precursors…Counting and calculation machines date
back to before Leonardo DaVinciItems like the Antikythera device
Found in 1900 off the Isle of Antikythera in the Mediterranean
Intricate device of gears, dating to ~ 100 BCECalculated the position of the Sun, Moon and
Zodiac over the 29.5 day Synodic monthYouTube Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MqhuAnySPZ0
18th CenturyLast of the Calculators1820 – Charles Xavier Thomas DeColmar
Arithmometer+, -, X and /Popular for 90 yearsDesktop sizedUsed by Larkin Soap Co.
Buffalo, NY Larkin HQ was a DATABASE!
DeColmar’s Aritmometer. From http://brassgoggles.co.uk/images/arithmometer.jpg
The First ComputerThe Jacquard Loom – 1804Joseph-Marie JacquardFrench weaverUsed punch cards to
automate weavingCould create incredibly
complex designs, accurately, and repeatably
Basis for Charles Babbage’s designs
The Jacquard Loom. From http://www.english.ucsb.edu/faculty/ayliu/courses/english25/materials/jacquard-loom.jpg
Rise of the Mechanical ComputerThe Difference Engine and the Analytic EngineCharles Babbage – worked from 1822 to 1833Never actually completed eitherDesigns themselves so revolutionary
Influenced all further developers
Doron Swade Operating Babbage’s Difference Engine No. 2. from http://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/images/I033/10303322.aspx
Babbage’s Analytical Engine. From http://www-03.ibm.com/ibm/history/exhibits/attic2/attic2_182.html
End of the 19th CenturyIndustrial Revolution
Mechanical Computers built to do calculation for accounting cleks
Industrial Computers to run the factories Analog devices using punch cards, Boolean Algebra
(AND, OR, NOT, XOR) Digital Computing with Vacuum Tubes, and Electric
Circuits Interfaces allowed long-distance communication
The Teleprinter – ticker tape – Associated Press
Birth of Computer Industry International Business Machines
The 40s, 50s, 60sAdvent of the machine we know today
1940s – true computers Outputs we recognize today Size of a warehouse, our cell phones are more powerful
1950s – transistors replace vacuum tubes Smaller, cheaper computers Universities began to buy them Programming profession arises
1960s – Integrated circuits Smaller, home use computers DIY kits
The 1970sEarly 70s late 60sGates & Allen, Jobs & Wozniak
Smaller ComputersMicro Instrumentation and Telemetry
Systems Enter the home market with the Altair
– 1975Microsoft: Gates & Allen
1975 – BASIC Language for AltairApple Computers: Jobs & Wozniak
1971 – 1980: capture 50% of PC market
Start with “blue boxes”, move on to the Apple II
The 1980s1981 - IBM enters the market
IBM PC: using Windows Operating System1984 - Apple Macintosh
Simple Graphical User InterfaceBy 1989 Microsoft was reporting $1,000,000,000!
Home market expansionBut also business industry : Word Processing,
SpreadsheetsApple VS Windows PC:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VtvjbmoDx-I Suing the crap out of each other over “Patent
Infringements”Sound familiar?
