History Of Computing

Question 1

One of the earliest known computing tools, used in ancient civilizations (China, Mesopotamia) to perform basic arithmetic math

Answer 1

Abacus (~2000 BC)

Question 2

First referred to people who performed mathematical calculations by hand for astronomy and navigation

Answer 2

The term, “Computer” (1613)

Question 3

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

Answer 3

Oughtred’s Slide Rule (1620) by William Oughtred

Question 4

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.

Answer 4

Pascaline (1642) by Blaise Pascal

Question 5

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.

Answer 5

Leibniz’s Calculator (1672) by Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz

Question 6

His automated loom used punched cards to control the pattern of the cloth, marking the first step towards programmable machines.

Answer 6

Jacquard Loom (1801) by Joseph-Marie Jacquard

Question 7

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.

Answer 7

Analytical Engine (1837) by Charles Babbage

Question 8

A mathematician wrote the first algorithm designed to be executed by Babbage’s Analytical Engine.

Answer 8

Ada Lovelace’s Algorithm (1843)

Question 9

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.

Answer 9

Hollerith Tabulating Machine (1890) by Herman Hollerith

Question 10

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.

Answer 10

Turing Machine (1936) by Alan Turing

Question 11

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.“

Answer 11

ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer) (1939-1944) by John Mauchly and J. Presper Eckert

Question 12

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.

Answer 12

Transistors (1947) by Bell Labs

Question 13

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)

Answer 13

Mainframe Computers (1950s)

Question 14

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.

Answer 14

Integrated Circuits (IC) (1958) by Jack Kilby and Robert Noyce

Question 15

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.

Answer 15

IBM System/360 (1964)

Question 16

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.

Answer 16

Intel 4004 Microprocessor(1971)

Question 17

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.

Answer 17

Apple 1(1976) by Steve Wozniak and Steve Jobs

Question 18

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.

Answer 18

IBM PC (1981)

Question 19

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.

Answer 19

Apple Macintosh (1984) by Apple

Question 20

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.

Answer 20

World Wide Web and the Internet (1990s) by Tim Berners Lee

Question 21

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)

Answer 21

Smartphones and Mobile Computing (2000s)

Question 22

Allowed data storage and processing to move online, accessible from anywhere. (i.e. Amazon Web Services, Google Cloud)

Answer 22

Cloud Computing and AI (2010s)

Question 23

_______ 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).

Answer 23

Quantum Computing & Edge Computing (2020s)

Question 24

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.

Answer 24

Al-Khwarizmi’s Algorithm (9th century)

Question 25

An iterative numerical method to approximate the roots of a real-valued function.

Answer 25

Newton- Raphson Method(17th century) by Isaac Newton and Joseph Raphson

Question 26

Solving the “Seven Bridges of Königsberg” problem, which laid the foundation for algorithmic thinking in network theory.

Answer 26

Euler’s Graph Theory(18th century) by Leonhard Euler

Question 27

Used to solve linear programming problems. This was one of the first major algorithms used for optimization in fields like economics and operations research.

Answer 27

Simplex Algorithm(1950s) by George Dantzig

Question 28

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.

Answer 28

Djikstra’s Shortest Path Algorithm(1960s) by Edsger Dijkstra

Question 29

One of the fastest and most widely used sorting algorithms. It significantly improved data sorting in computing by dividing and conquering the problem.

Answer 29

Quicksort Algorithm (1970s) by Tony Hoare

Question 30

Based on the difficulty of factoring large prime numbers. This is a key algorithm in modern cryptography and ensures privacy and data security.

Answer 30

RSA Algorithms (1976) by Ron Rivest, Adi Shamir, and Leonard Adleman

Question 31

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.

Answer 31

Neural Networks (1980s)

Question 32

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.

Answer 32

Genetic Algorithms (1990s)

Question 33

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.

Answer 33

Google’s PageRank Algorithm (1990s-2000s)

Question 34

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))

Answer 34

Deep Learning Algorithms (2010s)

Question 35

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.

Answer 35

Quantum Algorithms (to present), Shor and Grover,

Question 36

Father of Computer

Answer 36

Charles Babbage

Question 37

Father of Modern Computing and AI

Answer 37

Alan Turing

Question 37

Father of Modern Computer Architecture

Answer 37

John von Neumann

Question 38

Mother of Computing

Answer 38

Grace Hopper

Question 38

Father of Boolean Logic

Answer 38

George Boole

Question 39

Father of Information Theory

Answer 39

Claude Shannon

Question 40

Pioneers of Personal
Computing

Answer 40

Steve Jobs & Steve Wozniak

Question 41

Fathers of Internet

Answer 41

Vint Cerf & Bob Kahn

Question 42

Inventor of the WWW

Answer 42

Tim Berners-Lee

Question 43

Founder of MS and pioneer of
Software

Answer 43

Bill Gates

Question 44

First Computer Programmer

Answer 44

Ada Lovelace