History of Computers – How were Computers Invented Short Documentary Video
Summary
TLDRThis video explores the evolution of computers from the abacus to modern devices. It highlights the abacus as the first calculator, the astrolabe for celestial navigation, and Charles Babbage's conceptualization of the first programmable computer. The script details the development of analog computers, the pivotal role of World War II in advancing computer technology, and the invention of the transistor. It discusses the creation of the integrated circuit, the microprocessor, and the impact of personal computers from Apple and IBM. The video also touches on the creation of operating systems, the influence of graphical user interfaces, and the future of computing with quantum computers and beyond.
Takeaways
- 🧠 The term 'computer' has evolved from machines used for calculations to the devices we interact with today.
- 📚 The abacus is considered the first calculator, with origins dating back to 2700-2300 BCE in Mesopotamia.
- 🌌 The astrolabe, used to measure celestial bodies, was crucial for navigation and astronomy in ancient times.
- 🛠️ Charles Babbage's conceptualization of a programmable mechanical computer in the 19th century laid the groundwork for modern computers.
- ⚙️ World War 2 accelerated computer development, with machines like the ENIAC focusing on calculations and code-breaking.
- 💡 The invention of the transistor in 1947 revolutionized computing by offering a smaller, more efficient alternative to vacuum tubes.
- 🔄 The integrated circuit, combining multiple transistors, led to the miniaturization of computers in the 1960s.
- 💻 The Intel 8080 processor, used in early home computers like the Apple II, marked the beginning of personal computing.
- 🖥️ The development of operating systems like MS-DOS and graphical user interfaces on the Macintosh made computers more user-friendly.
- 🌐 The widespread adoption of personal computers and the evolution of operating systems like Windows have made computers an integral part of daily life.
- 🚀 The future of computing holds promise with advancements like quantum computing and potential new materials to further innovation.
Q & A
What is considered the first calculator in history?
-The abacus is considered to be the first calculator, with its origins possibly dating back to 2700-2300 BCE in Mesopotamia.
What was the astrolabe used for and which civilization first referenced it?
-The astrolabe was used to measure the elevation of celestial bodies and was indispensable for sailors to determine their local latitude. The earliest known reference to an astrolabe was from the Hellenistic civilization around the 2nd century BCE.
How did Charles Babbage's programmable mechanical computer work?
-Charles Babbage's design for the first programmable mechanical computer used punch cards to input instructions that the machine would carry out.
What was the differential analyzer and who built it?
-The differential analyzer was an analog computer built by Vannevar Bush at MIT in the 1920s, used to solve complex mathematical problems.
What was the significance of the ENIAC in the history of computers?
-The ENIAC, invented by John Mauchly and J. Presper Eckert, was the first fully electronic and general-purpose digital computer, considered a predecessor to modern machines.
What were the drawbacks of vacuum tubes in early computers?
-Vacuum tubes consumed enormous quantities of power, were unreliable, and required large amounts of space.
How did the invention of the transistor revolutionize computing?
-The transistor, invented at Bell Labs in 1947, allowed for smaller, more reliable, and less power-hungry components than vacuum tubes, paving the way for modern computing.
What is an integrated circuit and what impact did it have on computer development?
-An integrated circuit is a collection of transistors and other components that can be manufactured on a large scale. Its invention led to the miniaturization of computers throughout the 1960s.
Which processor did Intel release in 1974 that was used by hobbyists to build home computers?
-Intel released the 8080 processor in 1974, which was used by hobbyists like Steve Wozniak to build home computers.
How did the creation of the first operating system by Gary Kildall influence the personal computer industry?
-Gary Kildall's creation of the first operating system provided an intermediary between a machine's software and hardware, which was crucial for the development of personal computers. However, when Kildall refused to sell it to IBM, they turned to Microsoft, leading to the creation of MS-DOS and Microsoft's rise to dominance.
What features did Steve Jobs incorporate into the Macintosh from Xerox's research?
-Steve Jobs was inspired by Xerox's research and incorporated a desktop-like screen, mouse, and graphical user interface into the Macintosh, making computers easier to use.
How did the development of computers change from the 1980s onwards?
-From the 1980s onwards, computers found numerous new applications, became portable, and were integrated into various devices like watches, cars, cellphones, and airplanes, becoming an ever-present part of daily life.
Outlines
💻 The Dawn of Computing
This paragraph introduces the concept of a world without computers and the profound impact they have on modern life. It discusses the evolution of computing devices from the abacus, considered the first calculator, to the astrolabe used by ancient civilizations for astronomical calculations. The paragraph also highlights the significance of Charles Babbage's programmable mechanical computer and the role of analog computers like the differential analyzer in advancing computational capabilities. The narrative culminates with the development of digital computers during World War II, emphasizing their use in military applications and the advent of the ENIAC, a precursor to modern computers.
🚀 The Evolution of Modern Computing
The second paragraph delves into the post-WWII era, detailing the transition from vacuum tubes to transistors, which marked a major leap in computing efficiency and size. It discusses the invention of the transistor and its role in the formation of Silicon Valley. The paragraph continues with the development of the integrated circuit and the invention of the microprocessor, which led to the creation of home computers by hobbyists like Steve Wozniak and the establishment of Apple. It also covers the emergence of operating systems, the rivalry between Apple and IBM, and the rise of Microsoft through the licensing of MS-DOS. The paragraph concludes with the impact of graphical user interfaces and the ongoing expansion of computer applications into various aspects of life, hinting at the future potential of quantum computing and the enduring role of computers in human advancement.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Abacus
💡Astrolabe
💡Programmable
💡Differential Analyzer
💡Vacuum Tubes
💡ENIAC
💡Transistor
💡Integrated Circuit
💡Microprocessor
💡Operating System
💡MS-DOS
Highlights
A world without computers is unimaginable today, as they have become integral to our daily lives.
The term 'computer' has evolved from referring to calculation-performing machines to the devices we interact with today.
The abacus, dating back to 2700-2300 BCE in Mesopotamia, is considered the first calculator.
The astrolabe, used to measure celestial bodies' elevation, was crucial for astronomy and navigation.
Charles Babbage's conceptualization of the first programmable mechanical computer in the 19th century was a milestone.
The differential analyzer, built by Vannevar Bush in the 1920s, was an early analog computer used for complex math problems.
World War 2 accelerated computer technology, with machines used for artillery accuracy and code-breaking.
Howard Aiken's Harvard Mark I, built in 1944, was an early digital computer using electrical switches for storage.
ENIAC, invented by John Mauchly and J. Presper Eckert, was the first fully electronic, general-purpose digital computer.
The invention of the transistor in 1947 revolutionized computing by offering a smaller, more reliable alternative to vacuum tubes.
The integrated circuit, developed in the late 1950s, allowed for the mass production of compact computers.
The microprocessor, invented in 1968, marked the beginning of computers existing on a single chip.
Intel's 8080 processor, released in 1974, enabled hobbyists to build home computers, including Apple's founders.
Gary Kildall's creation of the first operating system in 1976 was a significant step towards software standardization.
Bill Gates' development of MS-DOS and its licensing to IBM and others was a pivotal moment for Microsoft's dominance.
Steve Jobs' vision for user-friendly computers, inspired by Xerox's research, led to the launch of the Macintosh.
The graphical user interface and mouse, pioneered by Apple and later adopted by Microsoft, transformed personal computing.
Computers have become ubiquitous, appearing in various devices from watches to airplanes, reflecting their adaptability and importance.
Quantum computing and new materials may drive the next era of computing, with potential to solve today's intractable problems.
The future of computing is promising, with computers playing a crucial role in space exploration and beyond.
Transcripts
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{\*\generator Riched20 10.0.18362}\viewkind4\uc1 \pard\sa200\sl276\slmult1\f0\fs22\lang9 Imagine
a world without computers. A world where humanity\rquote s knowledge is no longer at your fingertips.
A world where a tool that you use every day just no longer exists. A world where you wouldn\rquote
t be watching this video right here, right now. Computers have penetrated nearly every
facet of our lives. But how did they become so ubiquitous? This is the history of the
computer. \par Today, the word computer refers to the devices
that we interact with to work, connect and play. However, it historically described machines
that were used in performing calculations with numbers. As part of this video, we\rquote
ll study the evolution of the earliest devices used for computations and how they became
the computers that we depend on today. \par The abacus was a computational tool used for
hundreds of years and is generally considered to be the first calculator. The exact origin
of the device is still unknown but the Sumerian abacus appeared as early as 2700 \f1\endash
2300 BCE in Mesopotamia. It has been mentioned in numerous civilizations throughout history,
including in Ancient Egypt, Persia, Greece, China, Rome and India. \par
Another famous calculator from the past was the astrolabe, which was used to measure the
elevation of celestial bodies in the sky. The earliest known reference to one was from
around the 2nd century BCE in the Hellenistic civilization. In addition to its value to
astronomers, the astrolabe became indispensable for sailors since it allowed them to determine
their local latitude on long voyages. \par One defining quality of modern computers that
separates them from simple calculators is the fact that they can be programmed. This
allows them to automatically perform certain tasks without continual human input. In the
19th century, Charles Babbage conceptualized the first programmable, mechanical computer.
His design utilized punch cards to input instructions that the machine would carry out. Unfortunately,
it proved too complex to economically produce and the project was cancelled after the British
government stopped funding. \par The early 20th century saw analog computers
develop further as they were put to work to solve complex mathematical problems. The differential
analyzer is the most famous example of this and was built at MIT by Vannevar Bush in the
1920s. Bush later became involved in the Manhattan project to produce nuclear weapons and even
inspired the invention of the World Wide Web nearly 50 years before its creation. \par
World War 2 led to a strong leap in computer technology as nations tried to gain the upper
hand over their adversaries. Computers were primarily built to calculate firing tables
to improve artillery accuracy and to break enemy code to gain valuable intelligence.
The first large scale digital computer was built by Howard Aiken in 1944 at Harvard University;
it was one of the first machines that used electrical switches to store numbers. When
the switch was off, it stored zero and while on, it stored the number one. Modern computers
follow this same binary principle. This time period also saw the rise of vacuum tubes,
which offered much faster performance than traditional relay switches. \par
The most famous vacuum tube computer and one considered to be the predecessor of modern
machines was the ENIAC, invented by John Mauchly and J. Presper Eckert. It was the first fully
electronic and general-purpose digital computer. \par
Despite vacuum tubes offering advantages over electromechanical switches, they had their
own drawbacks. They consumed enormous quantities of power, were unreliable and needed large
amounts of space. In 1947, three scientists at Bell Labs discovered that semiconductors
could be used to more effectively amplify electrical signals. This led to the creation
of the transistor, which paved the way for modern computing. Transistors were much smaller
than vacuum tubes, used no power unless in operation and were extremely reliable. William
Shockley, one of the inventors of the transistor, continued refining it and founded a company
in Palo Alto, California. This would foreshadow Silicon Valley\rquote s development into the
global hub of computing over the next few decades. \par
In the late 1950s, two teams independently built the integrated circuit, a collection
of transistors and other components that could be manufactured on a large scale. This was
a major breakthrough that led to computers shrinking throughout the 1960s. In 1968, the
general-purpose microprocessor was invented and was the first example of a computer existing
on a single chip. \par The miniaturization of microchips allowed
Intel to release a processor known as the 8080 in 1974. This was used by hobbyists to
build home computers. One such hobbyist was Steve Wozniak, who partnered with his friend
Steve Jobs to found a company named Apple and begin selling home computers. Although
the first iteration didn\rquote t sell well, their second machine was sold as the Apple
II and gained popularity among home users, schools and small businesses due to its ease
of use. In 1980, the market leader for computers was IBM and they responded with their first
personal computer, also based on the Intel 8080 processor. \par
The main problem with early computers was that
they all used different hardware, and programs written for one machine would not work with
others. In 1976, Gary Kildall created an intermediary between a machine\rquote s software and hardware;
this became the first operating system. IBM was eager to implement this into their PCs;
however, after Kildall refused to sell to them, they turned to a young programmer named
Bill Gates at a company named Microsoft. After convincing IBM to let Microsoft own the rights
to its operating system, Gates developed MS-DOS, which he licensed to IBM and eventually other
PC manufacturers. This led Microsoft to become the titan it is today. \par
At Apple, Steve Jobs was determined to make computers easier to use. He was inspired by
research that Xerox had conducted in the 1970s, which included computers with a desktop-like
screen, mouse and graphical user interface. Jobs borrowed these ideas and eventually launched
the Macintosh, which hurt IBM\rquote s position in the industry. These features were eventually
implemented by Bill Gates into Windows, which led to a copyright lawsuit in the late 1980s.
Microsoft eventually prevailed and Windows became the dominant operating system for home
personal computers, where it remains to this day. \par
The 1980s and beyond have seen computers find numerous new applications. They appeared in
watches, cars, cellphones, airplanes. They became portable and ever-present. Today, computers
are everywhere. And yet, the future remains even more promising. Quantum computers could
signal a paradigm shift as humanity can tackle complex problems that today\rquote s machines
cannot solve. A move away from silicon may reignite the pace of transistor development.
Computers will be crucial for us in reaching out into space and exploring
the stars. They may have humble beginnings but no matter what challenges humanity faces,
the descendants of that abacus from Mesopotamia will be always be alongside us. \par
Thanks for watching and I hope you enjoyed the video. Feel free to drop a like or leave
a comment down below and make suggestions for any future videos. I\rquote ll be trying
to get back into making these. So, thanks again and I\rquote ll see everyone next time!
\f0\par }
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