What is a Computer?

A computer is an electronic device that manipulates information. It can store, retrieve, and process data. You can use a computer to type documents, send emails, play games, and browse the Web. You can also use it to edit or create spreadsheets, presentations, and videos.

Brief History of Computers

The first counting device was used by the primitive people. They used sticks, stones and bones as counting tools. As human mind and technology improved with time more computing devices were developed.

Abacus

The history of computers begins with the development of the abacus, which some believe was the first computer. It is believed that Chinese inventors developed the abacus around 4,000 years ago. The Abacus is a wooden rack with metal rods mounted on them on which beads were placed to perform arithmetic calculations. China, Russia and Japan still use Abacus today.

Napier's Bones

It was a manually-operated calculating device invented by John Napier (1550-1617) of Merchiston. He used 9 ivory strips or bones marked with numbers to multiply and divide. Thus, it became known as the Napier's Bones. It was also the first machine to use the decimal point.

Pascaline

Pascal's Arithmetic Machine or Adding Machine was created between 1642 and 1644 by a French mathematician-philosopher Biaise Pascal. It is believed to be the first mechanical and automatic calculator.

This machine was invented by Pascal to aid his father, who was a tax accountant. It could only perform addition and subtraction. It consisted of a wooden box with a series of gears and wheels. When one wheel rotated, the neighboring wheel also rotated. A series of windows is given on the top of the wheels to read the totals.