History Of Computing Flashcards
One of the earliest known computing tools, used in ancient civilizations (China, Mesopotamia) to perform basic arithmetic math
Abacus (~2000 BC)
First referred to people who performed mathematical calculations by hand for astronomy and navigation
The term, “Computer” (1613)
He invented a mechanical analog device used for complex functions. It was the engineer’s tool of choice until electronic calculators emerged in the 1970s
Oughtred’s Slide Rule (1620) by William Oughtred
He invented a mechanical calculator that used gears and wheels to add and subtract numbers. It was the first machine to represent numbers mechanically and perform calculations automatically.
Pascaline (1642) by Blaise Pascal
He improved pascal’s design by creating a machine that could multiply, divide, add, and subtract. He also developed the binary system, which became the foundation of modern computer systems.
Leibniz’s Calculator (1672) by Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz
His automated loom used punched cards to control the pattern of the cloth, marking the first step towards programmable machines.
Jacquard Loom (1801) by Joseph-Marie Jacquard
He designed the first concept of a programmable computer. It had features like arithmetic logic unit (ALU), memory, and the ability to use punched cards for instructions. It laid the foundation for modern computing.
Analytical Engine (1837) by Charles Babbage
A mathematician wrote the first algorithm designed to be executed by Babbage’s Analytical Engine.
Ada Lovelace’s Algorithm (1843)
He created a punched card machine to automate the US Census. It used electrical circuits to read punched cards and greatly sped up data processing. This success led to the founding of IBM in the early 20th century.
Hollerith Tabulating Machine (1890) by Herman Hollerith
He conceptualized a theoretical device that could manipulate symbols and perform any calculation if given a set of instructions (algorithm). His work laid the mathematical foundation for modern computing and algorithms.
Turing Machine (1936) by Alan Turing
The first general-purpose electronic digital computer. Built at the University of Pennsylvania, it used vacuum tubes and was capable of performing massive calculations much faster than human “computers.“
ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer) (1939-1944) by John Mauchly and J. Presper Eckert
Replaced vacuum tubes in computers, marking a revolution in electronics. They were smaller, faster, and more reliable, paving the way for modern computers to become smaller and more powerful.
Transistors (1947) by Bell Labs
These were primarily used by government agencies and large corporations for scientific and business calculations, requiring entire rooms due to their size. (i.e. UNIVAC and IBM 701)
Mainframe Computers (1950s)
Independently developed, a revolutionary advancement that allowed multiple transistors and components to be packed into a single silicon chip, drastically reducing the size and cost of computers.
Integrated Circuits (IC) (1958) by Jack Kilby and Robert Noyce
a family of compatible mainframe computers that allowed businesses to upgrade without losing their previous investments in software. It standardized commercial computing and introduced the concept of computer families.
IBM System/360 (1964)
The first commercially available microprocessor, a computer’s central processing unit (CPU) on a single chip. This invention marked the beginning of the microcomputer evolution and set the stage for personal computers.
Intel 4004 Microprocessor(1971)
A hobbyist computer kit sold to tech enthusiasts. It was one of the first personal computers (PCs) designed for individual use, with a display and keyboard.
Apple 1(1976) by Steve Wozniak and Steve Jobs
IBM’s first released PC. It featured an Intel microprocessor and an operating system from Microsoft (MS-DOS), and it became widely adopted for business and home use, shaping the future of computing.
IBM PC (1981)
The first personal computer with a graphical user interface (GUI) and a mouse, making computers more user-friendly and accessible to non-experts. This paved the way for modern computing interfaces like Windows.
Apple Macintosh (1984) by Apple
Revolutionizing how people accessed and shared information globally. During this time, the internet and graphical user interfaces (GUIs) like Windows made computers widely accessible to everyday users.
World Wide Web and the Internet (1990s) by Tim Berners Lee
Put computing power into handheld devices. Combined telephony, computing, and internet access, changing how people interacted with technology daily. (i.e. Blackberry and later the iPhone 2007)
Smartphones and Mobile Computing (2000s)
Allowed data storage and processing to move online, accessible from anywhere. (i.e. Amazon Web Services, Google Cloud)
Cloud Computing and AI (2010s)
_______ is developed to solve complex problems beyond the capabilities of traditional computers. While _________ reduces latency by processing data closer to where it is generated(like in IoT devices).
Quantum Computing & Edge Computing (2020s)
A Persian mathematician, introduced the concept of an algorithm in his work on algebra. His name is the root of the term “algorithm,” and he is the Father of Modern Algorithm.
Al-Khwarizmi’s Algorithm (9th century)
An iterative numerical method to approximate the roots of a real-valued function.
Newton- Raphson Method(17th century) by Isaac Newton and Joseph Raphson
Solving the “Seven Bridges of Königsberg” problem, which laid the foundation for algorithmic thinking in network theory.
Euler’s Graph Theory(18th century) by Leonhard Euler
Used to solve linear programming problems. This was one of the first major algorithms used for optimization in fields like economics and operations research.
Simplex Algorithm(1950s) by George Dantzig
An algorithm to find the shortest path between nodes in a graph. This algorithm is an example of the practical applications of theoretical computer science in everyday life.
Djikstra’s Shortest Path Algorithm(1960s) by Edsger Dijkstra
One of the fastest and most widely used sorting algorithms. It significantly improved data sorting in computing by dividing and conquering the problem.
Quicksort Algorithm (1970s) by Tony Hoare
Based on the difficulty of factoring large prime numbers. This is a key algorithm in modern cryptography and ensures privacy and data security.
RSA Algorithms (1976) by Ron Rivest, Adi Shamir, and Leonard Adleman
Inspired by biological neural systems, led to the development of algorithms for pattern recognition, learning, and artificial intelligence. It is essential for tasks like image and speech recognition. The idea that machines can “learn” from data transformed the landscape of algorithms.
Neural Networks (1980s)
Inspired by the process of natural selection, this algorithm uses evolution-based methods to solve optimization problems. These algorithms are used in areas like machine learning, robotics, and engineering by mimicking the process of evolution.
Genetic Algorithms (1990s)
The core of Google’s search engine, which ranks web pages based on their relevance and the number of incoming links. One of the reasons for Google’s dominance in the search engine market.
Google’s PageRank Algorithm (1990s-2000s)
These algorithms enable machines to interpret and process large datasets, such as in image recognition, natural language processing, and autonomous vehicles. It revolutionized the capabilities of AI. (i.e. convolutional neural networks (CNN) and recurrent neural networks (RNN))
Deep Learning Algorithms (2010s)
With the development of ____, researchers are working on algorithms like ____’s algorithm (for factoring large numbers) and ____’s algorithm (for searching unsorted databases). it represents the future frontier of problem solving and computational efficiency.
Quantum Algorithms (to present), Shor and Grover,
Father of Computer
Charles Babbage
Father of Modern Computing and AI
Alan Turing
Father of Modern Computer Architecture
John von Neumann
Mother of Computing
Grace Hopper
Father of Boolean Logic
George Boole
Father of Information Theory
Claude Shannon
Pioneers of Personal
Computing
Steve Jobs & Steve Wozniak
Fathers of Internet
Vint Cerf & Bob Kahn
Inventor of the WWW
Tim Berners-Lee
Founder of MS and pioneer of
Software
Bill Gates
First Computer Programmer
Ada Lovelace
