The History of Computers.

The Evolution of Computers

Our lives are fitted around the use of computers. Most of the tools you use everyday involve the use of some type of computer. From the simplest things such as calculators, to a complex thing such as research involving the human genome project, they all involve the use of computers. Computers have two main parts; the software that tells the computer what to do, and the hardware which is the actual parts of the computer. The technology of computers changes so rapidly, that many do not know how the computer became what it is today. You'll need to know the prehistory of the computer, it's early developments, and the modern day computer.

First comes the prehistory of the computer. The Abacus which is thought to be the earliest form of a computer, dates back to over 5,000 years ago. Believed to be created in what today is Iraq, it was, and still is today, used to calculate numerical amounts.

Punched cards for programming the Analytical Engin...

English: Picture of Charles Babbage's Grave

English: Charles Babbage

The next big step came when a man by the name of Wilhelm Shickard built the first mechanical calculator in 1623. This invention can work with 6 digits and can bring digits across columns, but although it works, it never makes it past prototype stage. A better version of his calculator which has capacity for 8 digits is built and published in 1642 by Blaise Pascal. A huge contribution towards building a computer came when Charles Babbage tries to create a massive steam powered calculator, but the British government cancel his project in 1842. He starts to work on something else. He builds the Analytical Engine, which is a mechanical computer that can solve any math problem by reading hole-punched cards with a brush.

Early developments of the computer started with the creation called ENIAC. It is...