John Higginbotham (or someone) wrote:
2) First human
made computer (program given for input, so abbacus doesn't
count, output given)
I think there was an automated loom that was invented in the 17th century
that wove a pattern based on a template, but I don't recall if this was a
hole punch reader, a specially shaped gear, or other apparatus. It did
exist though. Although most definitely not a computer as we see them
today, it did take a program for input, process it, and output it in the
form of fabric. (I think this was right before CGA was made a standard...)
:-) Someone has mentioned Jacquard, I think. He didn't invent punched
cards, afaik, he got the idea from a Brit. I'll try and find out more,
but I don't think either was a computer. The Jacquard loom doesn't run
a program - it transfers data from cards to fabric. Full stop.
I'd give the honours of 1st computer to the Zuse Z1 - a relay machine
between the Wars, I think. But some mechanical calculators at that date
were quite sophisticated. Comments, anyone??
5) First
digital computer
Didn't someone just post a link about the "first digital computer" turning
50 years old? It was on the BBC website, I believe.
They may have done, but the Manchester SSEM (Small Scale Experimental
Machine) was the first computer to STORE ITS PROGRAM IN MAIN MEMORY,
i.e. answer 4.
Again, Konrad Zuse's pre-war relay computers were digital. Go and watch
them running the Z4 in Munich...
Philip.