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Write a short note on the history of computers. |
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Answer» 1. Abacus: The abacus was an early tool for mathematical computations. A skilled abacus user can work on addition and subtraction problems at the speed of a calculator. The abacus is still in use today. 2. Napier Bones: John Napier invented logarithms, where the logarithm values were carved on ivory sticks which are now called Napier’s Bones. 3. Slide Rule: Napier bones were modified by Edmund Guntur in the year 1620. It consists of a ruler and a sliding piece both marked with logarithmic values. It was further modified by William Oughtred. 4. Pascal’s calculating machine: The first successful mechanical calculator was constructed by Pascal in 1642. 5. Leibnitz’s Machine: It is the modified form of Pascal’s machine. 6. Charles Babbage’s Machine: In 1833, Charles Babbage invented Charles Babbage Machine. He is known as the “Father of Computers”. 7. Census Machine: This machine was devised by Dr. Hermann Hollerith for tabulating the 1980 US. Census. 8. Jacquard Loom: A weaving machine invented by Joseph Marie Jacquard in the beginning of the 19th century. |
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