Before 1944
1944 - 1971
1972 - 1981
1981 - 1990
1990 - 1998
Memories
The Future
Quotes
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 Invention of the abacus marks the beginning of computers. For the first time,
people use a calculating device to do math. |
Mechanical calculator invented by Leonardo da Vinci. It was the first
machine developed to perform simple mathematic operations.
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Slide rule is invented. It was a precursor to the electronic calculator, and it was
commonly used well into the 1970's. |
Blaise Pascal invents the Arithmetic Machine.
| First punch cards for storing data are invented by Jacquard. Punch cards were
used by the first electronic computers in the 1940's and onward until the
development of more reliable data storage. |
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Charles Babbage invents the Difference Engine, for use for subtracting
numbers. Charles Babbage invents the Analytical Engine. |
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Sir Charles Wheatstone uses paper tape to store data. This technique for
data storage was similar to punch cards, except that the tape was able to
continually be fed through the machine. 
First patent for semiconductor transistor. The transistor allowed
electrical currents to flow through a computer, allowing data to be passed
through the machine.
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A keyboard designed for the ease of the user was developed by John Dvorak.
The keyboard was designed with the least used keys on the outside corners, and
the most often used keys within easy reach of the user's fingers. |
Alan Turing invents the Turing Test, which determines whether something is
human or not. Questions included things such as "Do you have feelings?",
and "Do you feel pain?".
Konrad Zuse completes the first fully functioning electro-mechanical computer of the world on his second attempt.
This computer is called the Z2, with successor computers being named the Z3 and Z4.
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First electronic general purpose computer, the ENIAC, is invented. It cost
the U.S. Army for than US$500,000 to develop, weighed over 30 tons, had
19,000 vacuum tubes, 1,500 relays, and consumed almost 200 Kilowatts of
electricity. |
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