Who is Konrad Zuse? Meet the Man Behind the Programmable Computer and Plankalkül

Summary

Konrad Zuse, a German computer scientist born in 1910, is a pioneer often overlooked in computer history. His innovative work led to the creation of the Z1, the first working digital, programmable computer, utilizing binary system and Boolean logic. Despite hardships, including the loss of his work in a bombing raid, Zuse persevered, developing the Z3 and the high-level programming language Plankalkül. His contributions, including founding a company that built over 800 computers, are pivotal in the evolution of modern computing.

Takeaways

• 😀 Konrad Zuse is a pioneering figure in computer history, often overlooked for his invention of the first working digital, programmable computer.
• 🎓 Zuse studied machine engineering, architecture, and civil engineering before focusing on automating calculations for static structures.
• 🛠️ He initially worked in an airplane factory performing structural calculations, which led to his interest in automating these tasks.
• 🏡 With his parents' support, Zuse used their living room to develop the Z1, his first computer, which was a mechanical and programmable machine.
• 🔢 Zuse chose to work with the binary system, using hand-cut metallic plates, which was a departure from the decimal system used by other early computers.
• 🧠 The Z1 utilized Boolean logic and binary floating-point numbers, showcasing Zuse's innovative approach to computation.
• 💡 Zuse received funding from the Nazis for the development of the Z3, an upgraded version of his earlier machines, which was a fully automatic digital computer.
• 🔧 Despite the destruction of his work during World War II, Zuse persevered and created Plankalkül, the world's first high-level programming language.
• 🏗️ Post-war, Zuse founded his own company, which produced over 800 computers, demonstrating his enduring impact on the field.
• 📈 Zuse's work, particularly the Z3, is considered a cornerstone in the evolution of modern computers, highlighting his significant contributions to technology.

Q & A

Who is Konrad Zuse and why is he significant in the history of computing?

Konrad Zuse was a German computer scientist who is credited with inventing the first working digital, programmable computer. He is significant because his work laid the groundwork for modern computing.

What were the early career choices of Konrad Zuse before he decided to focus on computing?

Konrad Zuse initially studied machine engineering and architecture, but found them boring. He eventually settled on civil engineering, where he began to consider automating calculations.

What motivated Zuse to start working on automating calculations?

Zuse was motivated to automate calculations due to the tedious and complex nature of static calculations required for civil engineering projects such as buildings, bridges, and towers.

How did Zuse's work experience at an airplane factory influence his decision to pursue computing?

Zuse's work at an airplane factory, where he was required to perform structural calculations, led to his growing frustration with manual calculations and his decision to automate the process.

What was the Z1 and why was it significant?

The Z1 was Zuse's first computer, built mainly from scrap parts. It was significant because it was an early attempt at a programmable computer that used binary logic, despite its tendency to crash.

What was unique about Zuse's approach to building the Z1 compared to other computers of the time?

Zuse's approach was unique because he used hand-cut metallic plates and chose to work with the binary system, which was different from the decimal system used by other computers of the time.

What was the Z3 computer and why is it considered a milestone in computing history?

The Z3 was an upgraded version of Zuse's earlier computers and is considered the first working electromechanical, programmable, fully automatic digital computer. It was a significant milestone as it was one of the earliest iterations of the computer as we know it today.

How did World War II and the political climate of the time affect Zuse's work?

World War II had a significant impact on Zuse's work. He received funding for the Z3 from the Nazis, and his pioneering work was destroyed in a bombing raid on Berlin in 1943.

What was Plankalkül and why is it significant in the history of programming languages?

Plankalkül was the world's first high-level programming language created by Zuse. It is significant because it was a visionary concept in programming, although it did not catch on as a language, it demonstrated Zuse's innovative thinking.

What did Zuse achieve in his later years, and how did he continue to contribute to the field of computing?

In his later years, Zuse founded his own company, which built more than 800 computers. He continued inventing and experimenting until his death in 1995, maintaining his tinkering spirit and contributing to the field of computing.

How is Zuse's work with the Z3 considered one of the most important developments in the history of the modern computer?

Zuse's work with the Z3 is considered one of the most important developments in the history of the modern computer because it was a pioneering step towards the creation of programmable, digital computers that form the basis of contemporary computing technology.

Outlines

00:00

💻 The Pioneering Work of Konrad Zuse

Konrad Zuse, a German computer scientist born in 1910, is often overlooked in the history of computer invention. Despite initial interests in machine engineering and architecture, Zuse found his true calling in civil engineering where he sought to automate manual calculations. His dissatisfaction with his job at an airplane factory led him to resign and focus on his vision of a mechanical brain. With no money and working from his parents' living room, Zuse developed the Z1, the first computer using binary logic and hand-cut metallic plates. His work continued with the Z3, an electromechanical, programmable, fully automatic digital computer, which was unfortunately destroyed during World War II. Despite the loss, Zuse's contributions, including the creation of the high-level programming language Plankalkül, were pivotal to the development of modern computing.

05:01

🌟 Legacy and Continued Innovation of Konrad Zuse

Although Plankalkül, Zuse's high-level programming language, did not gain widespread adoption, it stands as a testament to his innovative spirit. Zuse's legacy extends beyond his theoretical work, as he founded a company that manufactured over 800 computers. His inventive nature persisted until his death in 1995. While many inventors globally contributed to the development of the modern computer, Zuse's work, particularly the Z3, is considered a cornerstone in computer history. His pioneering efforts in automation and computer science have left an indelible mark on the field.

Keywords

💡Konrad Zuse

Konrad Zuse was a German computer scientist and engineer, recognized as the inventor of the first programmable, digital computer. His work laid the groundwork for modern computing. In the script, Zuse's journey from studying various engineering fields to focusing on automating calculations is detailed, highlighting his pivotal role in the development of computing technology.

💡Digital Programmable Computer

A digital programmable computer is an electronic device capable of processing data and performing calculations based on a set of instructions, or 'programs.' The script emphasizes Zuse's achievement in creating the Z1, Z2, and Z3, which were early examples of such machines, with the Z3 being particularly notable as the first fully automatic digital computer.

💡Binary System

The binary system is a method of numerical representation that uses only two digits, 0 and 1. It is the foundation of all modern computing as it simplifies complex calculations into a form that can be easily processed by electronic circuits. Zuse's decision to use the binary system in his Z1 computer, as mentioned in the script, was a significant departure from the decimal-based systems of his time.

💡Boolean Logic

Boolean logic is a form of algebra that deals with binary values, typically true or false, and is used in computing to create complex logical operations. The script describes how Zuse's Z1 computer used Boolean logic to perform automatic calculations, which was innovative for its time and is now a fundamental aspect of computer science.

💡Mechanical Brain

The term 'mechanical brain' was used in the script to describe Zuse's early vision of a machine capable of performing calculations automatically, akin to the human brain. This concept predated the actual development of computers and reflects the futuristic thinking that drove Zuse's inventions.

💡Z1, Z2, Z3

The Z1, Z2, and Z3 are successive models of computers invented by Konrad Zuse. The Z1, built from scrap parts, was a pioneering but unreliable machine. The Z3, an upgraded version, is recognized as the world's first electromechanical, programmable, fully automatic digital computer, as highlighted in the script.

💡Calculating Machine

In the context of the script, a 'calculating machine' refers to early mechanical devices designed to perform mathematical calculations. Zuse's work evolved beyond these to create digital, programmable machines, which were more advanced and could handle complex calculations automatically.

💡Plankalkül

Plankalkül is the world's first high-level programming language, conceptualized by Zuse. Although it was not practical until decades later, as mentioned in the script, it represents a significant step in the evolution of programming languages and a testament to Zuse's forward-thinking.

💡Electromechanical

Electromechanical refers to devices that combine electrical and mechanical components to perform functions. The Z3 computer, as described in the script, was an electromechanical device, using electrical relays to perform calculations, which was a significant advancement over purely mechanical calculating machines.

💡Pioneer Work

The term 'pioneer work' is used in the script to describe the groundbreaking and innovative nature of Zuse's contributions to computer science. His work on the Z3 and the development of Plankalkül were pioneering efforts that set the stage for future technological advancements.

Highlights

Konrad Zuse is often overlooked as a pioneer in computer science.

Zuse was the first to invent a working digital, programmable computer.

Born in Berlin in 1910, Zuse struggled to choose a career path.

Zuse's interest in automating calculations led him to study civil engineering.

He worked in an airplane factory, performing structural calculations.

Zuse resigned in 1935 to focus on his ideas of automation.

He envisioned a 'mechanical brain' in his diary entries.

Zuse developed the Z1, the first computer, using his parents' living room.

The Z1 was built from scrap parts and used binary system instead of decimal.

Zuse's Z3 computer, created in 1941, was the first working electromechanical programmable computer.

Zuse's work was supported by the Nazis, who funded the Z3.

The Z3 was destroyed in a bombing raid on Berlin in 1943.

Zuse created Plankalkül, the world's first high-level programming language.

Plankalkül's compiler was not developed until 1975.

Zuse founded his own company, building over 800 computers.

Konrad Zuse's work with the Z3 was a pivotal moment in computer history.

Transcripts

The invention of the computer can be attributed  to the work of many brilliant minds and digital  

pioneers. Yet there’s one person that’s often  overlooked. Konrad Zuse, the German computer  

scientist who was the first-ever to invent  a working digital, programmable computer.

Born in Berlin in 1910, Zuse had trouble choosing  which direction to go in life.

He had begun his studies, the first one was machine engineering.

Boring, boring.

Then he tried architecture. Boring!

Eventually, Zuse decided to study civil engineering. It was during  his time in university that he began to consider  

how he might be able to automate calculations  that had typically been done manually.

That meant static calculations of the buildings, bridges, towers and so on.

We had to perform big and awful calculations.

That was horrible for him!

After his studies, Zuse found  work in an airplane factory.  

He was required to perform structural calculations  for manufacturing the aircraft components. 

Zuse soon grew tired of his factory job, resigning  in 1935 less than a year later, to again revisit  

his earlier notions of automation.

I decided to design and construct calculating machines suited to solve these problems automatically.

Around that time, Zuse writes in his diary: “For  about a year, I have been occupied with the idea  

of the mechanical brain”. In 1937, the idea of a  mechanical brain sounded like something out of a  

science-fiction novel. But for Zuse, these  futurist notions only inspired him further,  

providing the fuel he needed to build what would  one day be the first programmable computer.

But the ambitious pursuits of the German scientist  weren’t without hardship.

He had no money.

And he said to his parents, I need the living room and I will build a fully automatic calculation machine.

"Computer" was at the time not the name for this, it was "calculating machine".

And the parents said yes.

And he started with the development of the ZI, the first computer.

There were mechanical computers already available.

But you could not do higher level mathematical functions with it.

And that's what he wanted to do.

Zuse knew little about the work and progress  of other inventors as he worked in isolation.  

But there was an upside to this -  he did things a little differently.  

For example, the common computer of that time was  constructed with rotating mechanical components  

and performed calculations  using the decimal system.  

Zuse, on the other hand, used hand-cut metallic  plates and chose to work with the binary system,  

which is the machine code of 1s and 0s  that almost all modern computers use.

The young inventor successfully created  a machine which used Boolean logic and  

binary floating-point numbers to make automatic  calculations.

At this time, the name "bit" wasn't existing. So he said, I'll build a computer of yes and no.

He called this machine the Z1!

It was built mainly from scrap  parts and had a tendency to crash,  

but it was a spectacular achievement  for the then 28 year old engineer.

This is one and this is two, it's called math.

Now, you might recall that this was the 1940s,  and Zuse was in Germany. And as Zuse was busy  

working on something that would change technology  forever, the world around him was also changing.

A lot of big inventions happened during the wars.

He got funding for the Z3 by the Nazis, so that might have helped him.

In 1941, Zuse created the Z3 computer, which  was an upgraded version of the Z1 (and Z2),  

this time built with relays. The Z3 is considered  the first working electromechanical, programmable,  

fully automatic digital computer. This was also  one of the earliest iterations of the computer as  

we know it today.

He wanted to invent something that can calculate anything.

That was brilliant and pioneer work.

Zuse’s world-changing computer  was destroyed in a bombing raid on Berlin in 1943.

Almost everything was destroyed.

Even the blueprints. There are only a small amount of photos left from his first works.

So of course the war had a big influence on his life, because his pioneer work was lost.

In the later years of the war,  

Zuse created the world’s first high-level  programming language, Plankalkül.  

For a long time, the language only existed  as an idea. It wasn’t until 1975, when its  

first compiler was developed, that Zuse’s  code could finally be put to use.  

Give my creation life!

Plakalkül itself never caught on as a language but should  be seen as a testament to Zuse’s innovative mind.

He must have been really creative.

Open space!

Zuse also went on to found his own company, which  built more than 800 computers. And he never lost  

his tinkering spirit. He continued inventing  and experimenting until his death in 1995.

Many inventors across a number of  countries and fields played a role  

in creating the computer as we know it. But  Konrad Zuse, and his success with the Z3,  

was one of the most important developments  in the history of the modern computer.