Progress of ComputersCreated on Aug 5 2014

For

The Windows ClubBy PowercutIN

Early computers were mechanical

Computers were there since Leonardo Da Vinci’s time. He created somegood machines that relied upon computing. However, those machinesnever got to be used by mathematicians etc. and served personalinterests of then then kings etc. (eg: self propelled cart, mechanical lion)

Anything that helps in computing anything is a computer. Todays computers compute, store and do many more operations on data.

Early computers were basically calculators with or without storage capability. This presentation is a tour of interesting pieces I found when checking out progress of computers.

The Night Time MachineA device by Leonardo that helped people figure out time during the nights.

In case you are wondering how is this relevant, clocks are also a form of computers that compute time using tension or crystal algorithms that hold true to date

Designed using pinwheels for tough calculations,Among the first computers that were used by mathematicians

Designed in beginning of 1820s.Also, one of the first calculators used by clerks for computing.

Arithmometer:

FELT’s COMPTOMETERDesigned 1889First calculator able to print

Subsequent versions were called Comptograph as it could print calculations using narrow width paper

Can you figure out how to use it?Looks more complex than mathematics subject!

Early 1900s (1904 onwards)

Burroughs was the widely accepted calculator with printing abilities as you can see in the image.

It was said that Burroughs was pretty easy to use after being trained and was a hit among clerks and mathematicians. It kept on adding features to make it much acceptable.

1910

The desktop model of Burroughs Adding machine.

Burroughs had a storage system and printing system too.

They kept on improving the quality of adding machine and were also into manufacturing and sales of related accessories such as ink ribbons, storage devices etc.

Hermann Hollerith Punching Card

Around 1890s, as others developed calculators, Hermann Hollerith came up with the idea of punching cards that he used with his custom designed equipment (see next slide) for computing things as complex as census.

Hollerith Tabulating Machine and Sorting BoxReplica of early Hollerith punched card tabulator and sorting box (right) at Computer History Museum

A description of this system, “An Electric Tabulating System (1889)”, was submitted by Hollerith to Columbia University.

The punched cards were put into the main machine that would contain electric pins. When they encountered hole (punch), they touched the other part and circuit was completed to add one.

The doctoral thesis was printed and is available under the name of Randel – Origins of Digital Computing

ENIAC: The first “real” computer with general purpose and some special functions. Whole image is one computer, excluding the ladies!

ENIAC 1: Electronic Numerical Integrator And ComputerWas designed around 1945 & served war purpose initially

Released around 1948, was a bunch of vacuum tubes still employing punch cards and IBM reader for input and output.

IBM Selective Sequence Electronic Calculator (SSEC)

SEAC (Standards Eastern Automatic Computer)

First-generation electronic computer, built in 1950

A small-scale computer designed to be built quickly and put into operation.

IBM CPC (Card Programmed Computer);

Built 1952

Hinted the rise of smaller and easily usable computers

Was double the size of a xerox machine and was still dependent on cards for programming.

UNIVAC: Universal Automatic Computers

Built in 1951

Capable of storing programs inside the computer – rather than feeding them again and again using punch cards

IBM 650

First mass produced light computers that was available to both military and civilians.

The size was much shorter compared to other computers we saw in the slide. Early buyers were hobbyists.

IBM 7090 Console – Designed in 1959

Was much bigger and not intended for personal use. The rates were too high

But this computer marked the transition of computers from vacuum tubes to transistors which now form the base of modern computers.

MITS Altair 8800: Designed in 1974

Beginning of Micro computers.

There were some smaller models before too but this one was widely sold out due to extensive advertising.

Magnetic Disks (Floppy) were used to feed data and programs.

IBM 8086: Designed around 1974.

Brings us up to date with modern day computers. This was a 16 bit computer that allowed internal hard disk storage and external floppy drives.

The demand for this computer made it so popular that IBM continued with the models until Pentium 4

Desktops were further compressed into laptops using integrated circuits.

The possibility of manufacturing complex circuits with smaller transistors made it possible to make portable computers that can be used anywhere. There are plenty of brands available each varying in size of screen, weight and other features

The present is a transition from desktops (slide 21) to convertibles.

Convertibles serve both as a laptop and as a tablets (computers with touchscreen that are more mobile than laptop – given their weight).

Microsoft’s Surface Pro