Computing 2020 - History of Computers
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Questions and Answers

What was the original meaning of the term 'computer'?

  • A mechanical device for calculations
  • A type of programmable software
  • A person performing calculations (correct)
  • An electronic machine

    • Which invention is associated with Blaise Pascal?

  • The Stepped Reckoner
  • Logarithms
  • The first calculator (correct)
  • The Analytical Engine

    • Who adapted punched cards for controlling looms?

  • Joseph-Marie Jacquard (correct)
  • Gottfried Wilhelm von Leibnitz
  • Lady Augusta Ada
  • Charles Babbage

    • What was a significant invention of Charles Babbage?

    <p>The Difference Engine</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the function of ‘logarithms’ invented by John Napier?

    <p>To find solutions for complex calculations</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What additional operations could Leibnitz's 'Stepped Reckoner' perform compared to Pascal's calculator?

    <p>Multiplication and division</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which role did Lady Augusta Ada play in computing history?

    <p>She helped Charles Babbage with his work.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why was the Difference Engine never fully constructed?

    <p>Technical challenges and complexity</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who is recognized as the first computer programmer?

    <p>Ada Lovelace</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What significant contribution did Alan Turing make to the field of computing?

    <p>He published a paper on computable numbers.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the term 'binary' refer to in computing?

    <p>A data representation using 1s and 0s.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the ASCC computer primarily supported for?

    <p>Gunnery and ballistics calculation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How did Dr. Grace Murray Hopper simplify the programming process?

    <p>By inventing the COBOL language.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was a notable physical characteristic of the ASCC computer?

    <p>It weighed 35 tons and contained 500 miles of wiring.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the term 'debugging' coined by Dr. Hopper refer to?

    <p>Finding and fixing errors in computer programs.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How many electronic digital computers did Howard Aiken estimate to satisfy the computing needs of the United States?

    <p>Six</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What year did Google purchase YouTube?

    <p>2006</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following companies was acquired by Google in 2010 or later?

    <p>Motorola Mobility</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was Google originally known as?

    <p>BackRub</p> Signup and view all the answers

    As of 2019, what was the estimated worth of Google?

    <p>$927 billion</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following statements best describes Artificial Intelligence in everyday technology?

    <p>AI is used in applications like route finding software and recommendation systems.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In what year was the Macintosh computer introduced by Apple?

    <p>1984</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What significant event in AI is indicated as an aspect of its basic goals?

    <p>Enhancement of software predictive capabilities</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which product was introduced by Apple in 2010?

    <p>iPad</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In what year did Jack Kilby invent the first integrated circuit?

    <p>1959</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What did Bill Gates do at the age of 13?

    <p>Sold a computer he built</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What significant accomplishment did Steve Jobs achieve with the release of the Apple II?

    <p>It revolutionized the personal computer market</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the original name of Google's search engine?

    <p>BackRub</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What major product did Apple release in 2001 that transformed media entertainment?

    <p>iPod</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which university did Larry Page and Sergey Brin attend?

    <p>Stanford University</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What mathematical term inspired the name of Google?

    <p>Googol</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What did Bill Gates develop while at Harvard University?

    <p>A programming language</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Definition and Early History of Computers

    • The term "computer" originally referred to humans, typically women, who performed calculations on paper.
    • Early calculations were focused on mathematical tables, bomb trajectories, and rocketry.

    Key Figures in Computing History

    • John Napier: Introduced logarithms, simplifying complex calculations with lookup tables.
    • Blaise Pascal: Invented the first calculator in 1645, enabling addition and subtraction through rotating dials.
    • Gottfried Wilhelm von Leibnitz: Created the "Stepped Reckoner" in 1674, capable of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.

    Notable Contributors

    • Joseph-Marie Jacquard: Innovated the use of punched cards in 1804 for loom control, influencing data input/output in computing.
    • Charles Babbage: Designed the "Difference Engine" and "Analytical Engine," foundational concepts of modern computers; the Difference Engine was never fully constructed.
    • Ada Lovelace: Collaborated with Babbage, recognized as the first computer programmer, documented Babbage's work, and wrote early algorithms.

    20th Century Developments

    • Alan Turing: Published a pivotal paper on computable numbers, establishing that binary machines can solve any problem with programmed instructions.
    • John Vincent Atanasoff: Developed the ABC, the first digital computer utilizing binary processing.
    • Howard Aiken: Built the ASCC in 1944 with IBM support; a massive machine utilizing mechanical relays and 500 miles of wiring.

    Programming Innovations

    • Dr. Grace Murray Hopper: Worked with Aiken on computational projects; invented COBOL, the first programming language using English for coding, and coined the term "debugging."

    Technological Breakthroughs

    • Jack Kilby: Created the first integrated circuit in 1959, paving the way for smaller and more reliable computers.

    Rise of Personal Computing

    • Bill Gates: Became interested in programming at age 13; created MS-DOS for IBM and founded Microsoft, becoming a billionaire and philanthropist.
    • Steve Jobs: Co-founded Apple at age 21; launched the Apple I in 1976, followed by successful products like the iPod, iPhone, and iPad, revolutionizing the market.

    Emergence of Google

    • Larry Page and Sergey Brin: Developed BackRub, later renamed Google, aiming to organize vast internet information; Google became one of the largest companies globally, acquiring various entities including YouTube and Android.

    Milestones in Computing History

    • 1984: Introduction of the Macintosh by Apple
    • 1990: Microsoft launches Windows 3.0
    • 2001: Release of Microsoft Windows XP and founding of Wikipedia
    • 2005: Google acquires Android and YouTube
    • 2007: Launch of the iPhone by Apple

    Introduction to Artificial Intelligence

    • AI is prevalent in everyday technology, such as maps, gaming, and recommendation systems.
    • Basic goals of AI research include improving machine capabilities in processing and decision-making.

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    Description

    This quiz explores the origins of the term 'computer' and its early use as a job role. It highlights how initial computations were performed by people, particularly women, using manual methods like slide rules for various scientific calculations. Test your knowledge on the historical context of computing!

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