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History of Calculating Machines

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Questions and Answers

What was the primary purpose of early computing machines prior to World War II?

To encrypt and decrypt secret messages for military purposes

To control industrial machinery and automate manufacturing

To perform complex mathematical calculations (correct)

To automate business processes and record-keeping

Which of the following statements about early computing machines is true?

They were purely electronic, using electricity for calculations

They used electricity to move mechanical parts, but not for calculations

They were designed and built exclusively for military applications

They were powered by human exertion, such as keypresses (correct)

What was the fundamental difference between early electromechanical computers and modern computers?

Modern computers use electricity for calculations, while early computers used mechanical gears (correct)

Modern computers are programmable, while early computers were not

Modern computers are digital, while early computers were analog

Modern computers are faster and more powerful than early computers

Which groups of people were involved in the development of modern computers during World War II?

Physicists and mathematicians Signup and view all the answers

What was the problem faced by the United States Army in 1943 that led to the development of the ENIAC?

Lack of firing tables for artillery guns Signup and view all the answers

Which variables needed to be taken into account to fire an artillery gun correctly, according to the text?

Distance from target, wind speed, humidity, elevation, temperature Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary purpose of firing tables?

To determine the correct angle for aiming artillery guns Signup and view all the answers

What made the calculation of firing tables challenging?

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

How were firing tables initially created?

By manual calculations performed by human 'computers' Signup and view all the answers

What was the role of the Ballistics Research Laboratory at Aberdeen Proving Ground?

To produce firing tables for the army Signup and view all the answers

Why was Dr. Herman Goldstine assigned to the University of Pennsylvania's computer team?

To oversee the computation of firing tables more quickly Signup and view all the answers

What was the Differential Analyzer's limitation in computing firing tables?

It frequently broke down and was unreliable Signup and view all the answers