1. Prehistory of Computing

Question 1

What was the first known computing device?

Answer 1

1. The Abacus, invented by the Sumerians around 2700 BCE

Question 2

In what locations have the abacus been found from the ancient world?

Answer 2

1. Asia
2. Middle East
3. India

Question 3

Who sketched the first known plans for the calculator?

Answer 3

1. Leonardo da Vinci

Question 4

When was the term “Computer” first used and what did it describe?

Answer 4

1. 1613
2. A person that did computing

Question 5

Who built the first calculator and when?

Answer 5

1. Wilhelm Schickard
2. 1623

Question 6

Who first theorized about vacuums?

Answer 6

1. Blaise Pascal

Question 7

What was the calculator created by Blaise Pascal able to do?

Answer 7

1. Add
2. Subtract
3. Multiply
4. Divide

Question 8

Who sold the first calculators?

Answer 8

1. Blaise Pascal

Question 9

How many prototypes did it take for Blaise Pascal to successfully create his calculator?

Answer 9

1. 50

Question 10

In what year did Blaise Pascal present his calculator and win a royal privilege in France (patent)?

Answer 10

1. 1645

Question 11

Who first added repetition to the mechanical calculator?

Answer 11

1. Leibniz, in his Step Reckoner

Question 12

Who was the earliest proponent of binary?

Answer 12

1. Leibniz

Question 13

Who built the Arithmometer and when?

Answer 13

1. Colmar, based on Leibniz’s design
2. 1820

Question 14

When were punch cards first used as memory?

Answer 14

1. 1810’s