Computer is a very ancient term, which originally referred to individuals who performed calculations or computations. It was not until the end of the 19th century that it started to obtain is modern connotations. Computers today are capable of thousands of functions, all derived from a digital, binary code. Interestingly, this code is remarkably like the code of DNA, which contains four variables instead of the two which computers use.
The ENIAC is considered the first general use, programmable computer. It was created in 1946 to calculate artillery firing tables, but was first put to use making calculations for the hydrogen bomb. Referred to as the "Giant Brain," ENIAC reached speeds that have yet to be matched. At 680 square feet, ENIAC was a hulking predecessor of modern technology.
Before the ENIAC, there was the advent of the Turing Machine, which "is a theoretical device that manipulates symbols on a strip of tape according to a table of rules," according to wikipedia. While not a practical computing device, all modern computers are descendants of the Turing machine. 
Earlier still, the first data to be read by computers was on punched paper cards. This revolution in computer science was used to tabulate the 1890 census. This technology was originally made to create automatic patterns in weaving. Joseph Marie Jacquard developed the punched card system in 1801. It was the first instance of programmable technology in action. 
Earlier yet, ancient mechanical computers included the abacus, the slide rule,and the astrolabe. More impressive is the Antikythera mechanism, an early analog computer device that was probably used to calculate the position of sun, moon, and planets, predict lunar and solar eclipses, track the rise and set of major stars, and keep the Metonic, Saros, and Exeligmos cycles, which are used in fixing calenders and range from 18-54 years. The device is now known to have at least 37 gears, was small enough to be portable, and had a built-in instruction manual. It is thought to have been made based on designs of Archimedes, and probably was one of several similar devices, all dating back to approximately 100 BC.Yes, the computer you are reading this on has come a long, long way. Amazing how technology has made such leaps, and how it continues to stretch forward.
Hi Cari,
ReplyDeleteCouldn't find an email to send my answer, so I'll just comment here in case you don't check back on my blog for the response. Audrey is a really fast typist on an iPhone, less so on a computer keyboard. She obviously doesn't know how to 5 finger type, so she pecks it out with her index finger. She's pretty fast though...and she plays the piano, so I'm hoping that someday she'll get the 5-finger way!