History and Architecture of Computers

A simple counting tool consisting of beads strung on wires within a frame, used for arithmetic calculations in ancient times.

An ancient Greek analogue computer designed to calculate astronomical positions and predict eclipses.

A mechanical device invented by Blaise Pascal in 1642 for adding and subtracting numbers.

A mechanical calculator invented by Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz in 1672, capable of performing multiplication, division, and square roots.

A loom that uses punched cards to control the weaving process, creating patterns automatically.

A system using punched cards to process and tabulate data, initially developed for the US Census in 1890. The company later became IBM.

An English mathematician and inventor who designed the Difference Engine and conceptualized the Analytical Engine, considered the 'father of the computer.'

An English mathematician and writer who collaborated with Charles Babbage and wrote the first algorithm designed for a machine, considered the first computer programmer.

An Austrian-American actress and inventor who pioneered frequency hopping technology in 1941, initially for use with torpedoes. This technology is now used in GPS, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth.

A theoretical model of computation proposed by Alan Turing in 1936. It lays the foundation for understanding what can be computed and how computers work.

A British mathematician and computer scientist who played a key role in breaking the Enigma code during World War II, considered a pioneer in theoretical computer science.

The first programmable electronic digital computer, developed in 1943 and used to break the Lorenz cipher during World War II.

An American engineer and scientist who headed the Office of US Scientific Research and Development during World War II and developed the hypothetical Memex system.

An early electronic digital computer, short for Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer, completed in 1945. It was used for mathematical calculations by the US Army.

A computer architecture proposed by John von Neumann in 1945 that forms the basis for most modern computers. It features a stored-program concept and consists of a CPU, memory, and I/O devices.

The first commercial computer, short for Universal Automatic Computer, delivered to the US Census Bureau in 1951. It could handle both numerical and textual data.

IBM's first commercial scientific computer, introduced in 1952. It was known as the Defence Calculator and helped establish IBM as a major player in computing.

A term used to describe large, powerful computers designed for high-volume data processing and complex calculations, which became widespread in the 1960s.

Smaller, more affordable computers designed for specialized tasks, developed in the 1960s. They allowed more widespread access to computing power.

A system that allows multiple users to share a single computer system by dividing processing time and resources. This innovation became common in the 1960s.

The industry that develops and distributes software for computers. It grew rapidly in the 1960s with the increasing use of computers.

A compact integrated circuit containing all the necessary components for a central processing unit (CPU). It revolutionized computing in the early 1970s.

The first microprocessor, created by Intel in 1971. It led to the development of personal computers and ushered in the microcomputer revolution.

Software designed to manage the hardware and software resources of a computer system, allowing other software to run smoothly. It was initially developed for mainframes and later adapted for personal computers.

A powerful operating system developed in 1969, known for its portability and its influence on modern operating systems.

An operating system designed for microcomputers, introduced in 1974. It became the standard for early personal computers before the rise of MS-DOS.

An operating system developed for personal computers, introduced in 1981. It became the standard for IBM PCs and helped popularize home computing.

A graphical user interface (GUI) operating system developed by Microsoft, initially released in 1985. It provided a more user-friendly experience compared to earlier command-line interfaces.

A line of operating systems developed by Apple for their Macintosh computers, known for its user-friendly interface and its emphasis on design.

An open-source operating system created by Linus Torvalds in 1991. It is known for its flexibility, stability, and its wide use in servers and supercomputers.

The first computer released by Apple, announced in 1976. It was a barebones computer that required users to build their own system.

A personal computer released by Apple in 1977. It featured color graphics, a basic programming language, and helped to popularize home computing.

A personal computer released by IBM in 1981. It became the standard for business computing and its open architecture encouraged third-party development, leading to widespread PC adoption.