When Computer was Invented

 

When Computer was Invented

 

There is no easy answer to this question because of all the different classifications of computers. The first mechanical computer created by “Charles Babbage” doesn't really resemble what most would consider a computer today. Therefore, this document has been created with a listing of each of the computer first starting with the Difference Engine and leading up to the types of computers we use today. Keep in mind that early invention that helped lead up to the computer such as the abacus, calculator, and tablet machines are not accounted for in this document.

The Word “Computer” was first used

The word "computer" was first recorded as being used in 1613 and it was originally used to describe a human who performed calculations or computations. The definition of a computer remained the same until the end of the 19th century when people began to realize machines never get tired and can perform calculations much faster and more accurately than any team of human computers ever could.

Who Invented the Computer?

The first computer that resembled the modern machines we see today was invented by “Charles Babbage” between 1833 and 1871. He developed a device, the analytical engine, and worked on it for nearly 40 years. It was a mechanical computer that was powerful enough to perform simple calculations.

Charles Babbage, an English polymath, is often thought of as “the man who invented computers”. From 1822 until his death in 1871, he designed 3 computers, but never actually constructed any of them, due to lack of funding.

In 1822 Charles Babbage started working on a Difference Engine its purpose was to computer polynomial functions. If completed it would have had some 25,000 parts, weighed 13,600 kg (15 short tons) and been 2.4 m (8 ft.) tall.

Between 1847–1849, Babbage created drawings for the Difference Engine No. 2, a second “computer”. Finally, In 1991, the British Science museum constructed the design from Babbage’s original plans. Amazingly, it worked! It took 6 years to build, weighs 4535.92kg (five short tons), measures 2.1 m, 3.4m, 0.5m (6’11” x 11’2” x 1’8”)  and has 8,000 parts.