The Chinese Abacuswas invented in the 16th century.
It is still being used in some parts of world. During the 17th and 18th
century many people tried to find easy ways of calculating. The idea
of using machines to solve mathematical problems began at the early
17th century. Mathematicians like Wilhelm Schickhard, Blaise Pascal
and Gottfried Leibnitz designed simple calculators, that were useful
to addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. J. Napier and
Scotsman invented the slide rule and it is still
being used for multiplying and dividing methods. Henry Briggs used
Napier1s ideas to produce algorithm tables which all mathematicians
use today.
The first real calculating machine appeared in 1820 as the result of
Charles Babbage1s experiments. This machine reduced the possibility of
making errors and save valuable time. In this machine there are lot of
gear wheels and actually that system is very complex. In 1834 Charles
Babbage designed the Analytical Engine. This was
the first multi-purpose programmable computing device, but it was never
completed. Then his colleagues tried to finish it, but the same thing
happened to them, because the technology of those days was not
developed enough to complete it.
George Scheutz and his son analysed Babbage1s Analytical Engine and
they began a smaller version of it. After a great competition they
had constructed a machine that could process 15 digit numbers and
calculate fourth order differences. It was invented in 1853 and it was
used to calculate the orbit of Mars.
In 1890, the punch card equipment was designed by Herman Hollerith and
it was the first computer which was used in commercial uses. Then they
established a company and in 1924 it became International Business
Machines (IBM).
nch card equipment was designed by Herman Hollerith and it was the
first computer which was used in commercial uses. Then they established
a company and in 1924 it became International Business Machines (IBM).
