A history of Computing (Week 3)

The History of Computing:

The lecture this week concerned the history of one of the most influential devices known to man, the computer.

According to, ‘The Triumph of the Nerds: A history of the Computer”, the development of the computer started with electronics. The ‘Nerds’ believe that Conrad Zuse’s invention of the programmable calculator in 1941 was the start of the electronic evolution.

They were right, the calculator made way for expanding electronics and even before Zuse knew it his invention was followed by many innovative and influential electronic devices. These included, the Colossus, a code breaking computer created by the British in 1943, UNIVAC- Universal Automatic Computer created in 1951 and the IBM 360 was that developed in 1964 and became the standard institutional mainframe computer.

This is only a short and brief history of computing, as we know the IBM 360 wasn’t the last of the computers created. Rather, it was only the beginning of the continuing advancement of computer technologies that is still happening to date.

Without the growing advancements of computers and computer technology there would be no Facebook, Twitter, Google or Wikipedia, society would rely on analog technology in order to gain information and knowledge. Though, thanks to of Gordan Moore, we can rest in peace knowing that as technology and computing advances it becomes even more powerful, cheaper to manufacture and easier to produce.

All I can say if thank god we were not stuck with the IBM 360 and its single use applications!