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 follows:
Abacus
Abacus was first computing device. It was developed 5000 years ago. It was used to perform simple addition and subtraction. Abacus was a wooden rack. It contained horizontal wires with beads strung in them. The beads could move easily. All simple arithmetic calculations were performed by moving these beads according to programming rules.John Napier’s Bone
John Napier was a Scottish mathematician. He created logarithm tables to facilitate calculations. He also created a device known as Napier’s Bones. The device used rods to perform arithmetic calculations. It was designed in the early 17th century. The device was widely used by accountants and bookkeepers.
The concept of logarithm was used to develop slide rule. The modern slide rule could be used to perform arithmetic calculations. It was also used to calculate squares, square roots, logs, sine and cosine etc. The slide rule was used till the middle 70’s.
Blaise Pascal
Blaise Pascal was a French mathematician. He invented a mechanical adding machine in 1642 known as Pascaline Calculator. The machine contained different metal wheels. Each wheel displayed the digit 0 to 9. It could only add and subtract numbers. Division and multiplication was performed by repeated addition and subtraction. It was not a commercial success because it could not provide sufficient precision for practical use.
Von Leibnitz
Von Leibnitz was German scientist. He developed a calculating machine in 1694. It was the first calculator that could multiply and divide also. It was similar to Pascal’s calculator but it was more reliable and accurate.
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, the system was used in computing devices.
Charles Babbage
In 1822, a mathematician Charles Babbage invented a difference engine for mathematical calculations. 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 of false.
The Mark I 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 John Mauchly in 1946. It was the first electronic computer. It was very heavy and large in size. It consumed 140 Kilo Watts of power. It could perform 5000 additions per second.
The EDVAC (1946-52)
EDVAC stands for Electronic Discrete Variable Automatic Calculator. It was developed by Dr. John Von Neumann. It could store instructions and data.
The UNIVAC (1951)
UNIVAC stands for Universal Automatic Computer. Eckert and Mauchly formed Eckert-Mauchly Computer Corporation in 1947 to manufacture computers commercially. They manufactured the first successful computer UNIVAC. It was the first computer for scientific and commercial applications.
Commercial Computers
The first commercial computer was 701. It was introduced by IBM (International Business Machines).
