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History of Computer Invention :  The triumph of modern science  . part : 01

History of Computer Invention

Computer , a revolutionary wonder of science and the most modern invention. Since the Industrial Revolution, the triumph of mechanical engineering has continued. The machine that is always busy to follow orders like a loyal servant in human working life is called computer. 

The word 'computer' is derived from the Latin word 'compute'. Literally, a computer is a type of computing device. 

But now computers are not just calculators. Now computer refers to an electronic device that can store, calculate, analyze etc. and take decisions very quickly and accurately by taking innumerable information or data . In ancient times, when written numbers did not exist, people used their fingers to count. 

But since more than 10 counts were needed, people started using various pebbles, animal bones, tree bark etc.The earliest available tools for counting are notched bones. 44,000 BC These bones are found in use in parts of South Africa. Also, another type of counting tool called the Isango bone was found before 30,000 BC.A set of groove-like patterns were seen on these bones. Much like Tally. According to some people, they were used as lunar calendars. With the progress of civilization, the need for computation increases in all areas . 

Ancient computer abacus:

The history of computers begins with the invention of the abacus. According to historians, the abacus was first used in the Sumerian or Mesopotamian civilization around 2700-2300 BC. Those abacuses were arranged in a series of columns through which different values ​​were expressed. 

The abacus was made by placing plastic or wooden beads in several parallel or vertical rows in a rectangular frame. Seven to ten beads were placed in each row. These were counted and added or subtracted. Many ancient civilizations used abacus for mathematical calculations. It was widely used in various parts of Asia including China , Japan , India. 

The first differential gear was used in a vehicle in ancient China in 1110 BC. Its name is Dakshin-Dhakdi Rath . This differential gear was later used in analog computers. A relatively modern version of the abacus was created around 200 BC.

 Modern computers are based on certain ideas. Indian grammarian Panini wrote a book called Ashtadhyayi in 500 BC. This book covers the application of concepts such as metarule, recursion, transformation etc. These concepts form the basis of modern computers. 

Napier's bone : 

John Napier , a Scottish mathematician, used a type of bar to perform calculations. This bar is known as Napier's bone. A German professor named Wilhelm Schickard created a new type of calculating machine in 1624. His machine was one of the earliest direct entry calculating machines of the 17th century. 

Pascal's Calculator:

In 1642, French scientist Blaise Pascal invented the first mechanical calculator. He was only 19 years old then. He introduced the method of addition and subtraction with the help of gears. This mechanical device was named Pascaline after the scientist Pascal. And the operation of the Pascaline instrument is basically the same as that of the Abacus instrument.

Stepped Reckoner :

Around 1694, Gottfried Wilhelm von Leibniz developed a slightly improved version of the Pascaline instrument, naming it the Stepped Reckoner. Then, in the middle of 1820, Thomas de Comer improved the stepped reckoner. By that time people have also become quite modern. Their search for new technologies continues. And as a result of this, a revolution took place in 1821. 

Difference Engine to Analytical Engine :

In the early 19th century, Charles Babbage built a machine called the difference engine. 

In 1810 he thought of inventing the first mechanical calculating machine. First he made a number calculator up to 8 decimal places and later up to 20 decimal places.

 In 1837, he invented the Analytical Engine. In addition to the ability to perform mathematical calculations, this machine had a mechanical memory, the ability to make logical decisions. The machine was powered by punch cards and could perform sequential tasks. The machine was the first version of the modern computer. 

Hence, Charles Babbage is considered one of the pioneers of computing. Charles Babbage is called the father of computer for his outstanding contribution. Ada Byron, daughter of the poet Lord Byron, worked as an assistant on Charles Babbage's Analytical Engine project. It was during this time that he discovered an algorithm for calculating numbers, or a step-by-step method of solving. It was the first computer algorithm.  

Antikythera Mechanism:

The first analog computer in the history of human civilization is called the Antikythera Mechanism. The ancient Greeks used a device called the Antikythera Mechanism to keep accurate records of the planets and stars. The instrument was recovered from a sunken Roman ship off the coast of southern Greece.

 Although it was discovered in 1901, researchers for the next few decades could not say much about the device's use. In 1959, British historian Derek Price called this device a star-positioning device.

 The instrument had three dials. The 365-day calendar, the 235-month Metonic circle and the Saros circle were used to determine the positions of the planets through the dials. Currently these tasks are done with the help of computers.

 The operation of the device was similar to that of a watch. The device was fitted with an L-shaped handle. With its help, if a date was specified, the device could immediately determine the position of the planets on that date. This device was used to keep track of various dates such as the time of the ancient Olympic Games. 

It is still a wonder to think how the instrument made of bronze, stone and wood was made with such precision two thousand years ago.

Binary Theory or Binary Logic:

Binary logic is the basis of modern computers. Which was created in 1702 by Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz. In binary logic all information is expressed by two numbers 0 and 1. Then George Bull published Boolean algebra more than a hundred and fifty years later. In 1801, Joseph Marie Jacquard introduced punchcard controlled looms. In this multi-hole loom, a hole indicated a binary 1 and a spot card indicated a binary 0. Scientists have figured out how to send instructions to a machine using 0 and 1 . 

Allen Turing and the Turing Machine: 

At one point in the Industrial Revolution, World War II began. The use of computers in military work began to increase. It was during this war that people first realized that information is also a form of power. A British scientist named Alan Turing then gave the idea of ​​programmable computer. His name is associated with two fundamental concepts in computer science – the Turing test and the Turing machine.

He headed HUT-8, the German Navy's secret signal analysis unit. German soldiers communicated their messages in sign language. Turing's electromagnetic device could decode the code of Germany's Enigma machine. These codes were so incomprehensible that even great mathematicians had to work hard to understand them. Thanks to Turing's contribution, the Americans could easily break the German code. Thanks to Turing's computer, America's path to German slaughter is much easier to win. For his many contributions, Turing was given the "Turing Award" which is known as the Nobel of Computer Science.

Modern Computer: 

In 1887, Charles Babbage invented a device for use in Dr. Horman Hollerith's US Census work. By which the census could be done quickly. The company that helped develop this machine then merged with other companies to form the famous IBM company. Mark-1 was developed in 1944. which was the first automatic electromagnetic digital computer. It was developed by Professor Howard H. Aiken and 4 IBM engineers.

 On February 15, 1946, the first generation computer ENIAC was created. In 1946 Professor Maurice Wilkes developed the EDSAC computer. In 1951, the first commercial electrical computer was developed. Which was called UNIVAC-1. In addition to calculations, the computer could also read and write information. 

Transistor was invented in 1948. Then, when the integrated circuit was invented, computers became smaller and the quality and speed of work increased. 

Technology continues to move at a rapid pace. With this, the old computer becomes more modern and functional. In 1971, American Intel company made the microprocessor. Microprocessors are made by placing thousands of transistors inside a sheet of silicon measuring one square inch. As a result of this invention, the price of computers came within the reach of people, the scope of work increased many times. Life becomes easier.