History of Computing - Early Computers
Abacus (ancient orient, still in use)
Slide rule (17C, John Napier)
Adding machine with geared wheels (17C, B. Pascal)
Difference Engine (19C, C. Babbage): First device using the principles of modern computer.
ENIAC (1945, John Mauchly and J. Presper Eckert, Jr.)
- Vacuum tube computer (18,000 electron tubes)
Three important inventions
- Stored program concept (John von Neumann)
- Transistor (J. Bardeen, W.H. Brattain, W. Shockley)
- Magnetic core memory (J.W. Forrester and colleagues in MIT)