history of computer hardware

Computer hardware has transformed in the last few decades as computers evolved from bulky, beige monsters to sleek and sexy machines. The dictionary defines ‘computer’ as any programmable electronic device that can store, retrieve, and process data. Computer hardware evolved as data storage, calculation and data processing became important elements in work and life. In fact, the earliest comp. hardware is thought to be record keeping aids such as clay shapes that represented items in the real world – the early mechanics of merchants and accountants of the past. From the abacus and the slide rule came analogue and later, the electronic comp. hardware known today A timeline of the history of comp. hardware: 1632 the first mechanical calculator was built by Wilhelm Schickard. It used cogs and gears and became the predecessor for comp. hardware. 1801 punched card technology began and by 1890 sorting machines were handling data, the first comp. hardware and installations used punched cards until the 1970s. 1820, Charles Xavier Thomas created the first mass-produced calculator. 1835, Charles Babbage described his analytical engine, which was the layout of a general-purpose programmable comp. 1909, Percy Ludgate designed a programmable mechanical comp. 1914, a central component in comp. hardware – the binary numeral system- was described by Leibniz. 1930s, desktop mechanical calculators, cash registers and accounting machines were introduced. By the 1960s, calculators advanced with integrated circuits and microprocessors. Digitals comp. hardware replaced analogue on comp. Digital comp. hardware The era of the comp. as we know it today began with developments during the Second World War as researchers and scientists were spurred on by the military. 1960s and beyond ‘Third generation’ comp. hardware took off post 1960 thanks to the invention of the integrated circuit or microchip. This led to the microprocessor which in turn led to the microcomputer – comp. hardware that could be owned by individuals and small businesses. Steve Wozniak co-founded Apple Comp. and is credited with developing the first mass market comp., although the KIM-1 and Altair 8800 came first. Evolution in comp. hardware After the 1970s the personal comp. and evolution in comp. hardware exploded across the western world. Microsoft, Apple and many other PC companies fuelled the market and today, these companies are still striving to reduce the size and price of comp. hardware while improving its capacity.