Early Mechanical Computers

Question 1

What are the basic attributes of a mechanical calculator

Answer 1

set up, selector(type of operation), registering mechanism (result), Carry, Control mechanism, Erasing mechanism

Question 2

Wilhem Schickard (1592 -1635)

Answer 2

1. Well-rounded renaissance man
2. Developed the first true adding machine which could handle a carry

Question 3

Who reconstructed Shickard’s calculating machine

Answer 3

Bruno Baron Von Freytag. Constructed of 6 columns with Napier’s bones inside

Question 4

Schickard Carry mechanism

Answer 4

Results of addition in a previous column passed into the next column. Used a single toothed gear

Question 5

Blaise Pascal (1623 - 1662)

Answer 5

1. Built the second calculator(or first complete)
2. Publicly presented his machine in 1645(Pascaline)
3. Eventually quit science and devoted his life to religion

Question 6

Gottfreid Leibniz (1646 - 1716)

Answer 6

1. Admitted to university age 15
2. Rejected from doctorate at age 20
3. turned down job offer as a professor

Question 7

Samuel Morland (1625 - 1695)

Answer 7

1. Received a BA and took up Mathematics instead of Religion
2. Invented several devices (Calculating machinery, Barometers, Speaking trumpets, Water pumps)

Question 8

Morland’s calculating machine

Answer 8

His machine implemented a partial (manual) carry

Question 9

Rene Grillet

Answer 9

1. Appointed clockmaker to a prestigious royal
2. His working machine was exhibited in state fairs

Question 10

Grillet’s calculating machine

Answer 10

Compared to Morland’s, Morland’s had the more useful mechanism(Napier’s bones) but Grillet’s had the larger adding mechanism

Question 11

Thomas Arithmometer (1820 ~ 1914)

Answer 11

1. Applied modern engineering to the Leibniz mechanism
2. Device was fairly large (Not portable)

Question 12

Baldwin-Odhner Machines (1885 ~ 1965)

Answer 12

1. Used a variable toothed gear
2. A 4 function calculator that was much smaller than the Arithmometer
3. Still not useful for general office tasks

Question 13

Key-Driven machines

Answer 13

1. Invented by Felt
2. First fully completed model 1886
3. Used rubber bands to allow keys to press
4. Sped up the addition speed beyond what others were capable of at the time