History of Computers

The world has become a small place, thanks to the computer. Almost every country in the world uses upgraded technology and has improved its standard of living due to the invention of the computer. Ever wondered where it all started? The question itself is fascinating and it is truly surreal to imagine the very origin of computers. Many years back, the word ‘computer’ was used to address a person who did the calculations and computing work, day in day out. Today, the computer is defined as a programmable electronic device that can store, retrieve and process data. The earliest calculating device was the abacus, after which logarithms were discovered. Scroll down below to know more on the history and origin of computers.

Interesting Information on the Background of Computers

In 1640s, the first mechanical calculator was manufactured for commercial purposes. Blaise Pascal invented the first commercial calculator, which was a hand-powered adding machine. In 1670s, Gottfried Liebnitz made attempts to invent a calculator that multiplied mechanically, but the first multiplying calculator appeared in Germany just before the American Revolution. This was a gigantic step taken in the world of computing that laid the foundation for inventing computers. In the year 1801, Joseph-Marie Jacquard, Frenchman, built a loom that weaved by reading the punched holes on sheets of hardwood. This loom was created almost 140 years before the computer was invented.

Right after the first commercially manufactured calculator in the year 1820, Charles Babbage began his quest to develop a machine that was used for programming. The first programmer, Ada Lovelace used the machine invented by Babbage to mechanically translate a short written work. A decade later, a professor of mathematics named George Boole, came out with ‘An Investigation of the Laws of Thought’, and is considered as the Father of Computing Science. In 1890, the census was tabulated on punch cards on a system that used electric power. This was developed by Herman Hollerith of MIT.

Prior to this invention, the first printing calculator was introduced in the year 1892 by William Burroughs. Though the first model was hand-powered, an electronic one was introduced soon after. Unaware of the work of Charles Babbage, Vannevar Bush of MIT also built a device, which he named as differential analyzer. Though it can handle simple calculus problems, accuracy was still not upto the mark. It was then that problems arose as to who invented their device first. Due to poor record keeping and documentation of inventions, one could not really decide which device was invented when.

During the year 1935, a German construction engineer named Konrad Zuse develops a mechanical calculator to handle math and calculations in his profession. He then started developing a programmable electronic device and finished it in 1938. In the year 1936, John Vincent Atanasoff started working on developing a digital computer in a campus in Iowa. It was designed to solve linear equations that were much common in physics. However, he left his job for a new offer in Washington.

In the year 1937, the Germans developed a complex mechanical encoder named the Enigma and believed it to be unbreakable. Alan Turing proposed the idea of developing a Universal Machine, which would be capable of computing any algorithm. In this year itself, George Steblitz created his machine named Model K(itchen), which was an accumulation of otherwise ineffective and leftover material, in order to solve complex calculations. The design was improved while he was working at Bell Labs and on September 11, 1940, he used the teletype machine to transmit a problem from New Hampshire to his Complex Number Calculator in New York. The problem was met with success and this was the first example of a network.

The Enigma was broken by a machine called Colossus Mark I in Poland and then in Britain and US. After this, computers were built that could break not just German but Japanese codes as well. Then came the creation of integrated circuit technology and microprocessors, which decreased the size and cost of computers. The personal computer or PC was created in the 1980s and with the advent of the internet shortly after, computers slowly became essential part of urban households.

Effects of Computer and Technology

Throughout history, innovations in technology have assisted humankind improved their standards of living, beginning with the simple inventions in prehistoric times, continuing on to and beyond modern times. In today’s time, when the rapidness of development and research is so impressive, it is easy to think about the advantages of modern technology. Modern technology has solved many problems that people face and play an important role in the development of many countries. Modern technologies create many kinds of products - computers, cloning technology, and video games.Technology today has made life better and quicker in our modern society, people can not see themselves without computers, cell phones, voice mail, and many other technological products. The Technological progress can make our society more convenient and safe. Making impossible things possible are similar features of the change which previous people have experienced by social change, like shifting from a hunting society to an agricultural society.

To consider these advantages and change of society, modern technology, which society uses today, might be not only a new tool but also the tool, which makes a dramatic change in history. However, the contribution of modern technology to society should not be eliminated and should be distributed evenly.There are many people that can not see themselves without the new tools of the 21st century. That is because the technology recreates the essence of Technology 3humanity and it encourages us to think of all things in the world as standing by, ready for our consumption. So this definitely affects our perception of the natural world. In today’s society we create technology, but technology also creates us.

Of the technological advancements that have been made in the areas of: automotives, telecommunications, computer technology and so forth, technological advancements in computer technology over the past decade or so certainly appear to have made the greatest impact on people’s lives in the United States. The use of computers has made it possible for U.S. citizens to evolve more quickly with the times in the areas of personal communication, business progression, and education.The U.S. Census Bureau (2007) indicates that as of 1994 only 8.2% of U.S. households owned a computer.

From 1984 to 1997 households with computers increased gradually to approximately 40%. Since internet access became available households with computers and internet access made a more rapid increase from 1997 to 2003. By 2003 the total numbers of households in the U.S. to have a computer were 69,936 which is 61.8% of the total 113,126 households at that time; and of that 61.8% 54.7% had internet access (The U.S. Census Bureau, 2007, Table 1A). These numbers indicate that a large majority of U. S. citizens’ lifestyles have been affected by computer technology in one aspect or another. The purpose of this essay is to illustrate some positive effects of computer technology to the lives of people in the United States. The areas for discussion include: email, videoconferencing, and education. EmailComputer technology has made it possible for families, friends, businesses and so forth located all around the world to stay in touch with ease and cost efficiency. Since the initiation of internet access computer technology has opened up different types of choices for people to keep in touch and exchange ideas.