Computers in the 1800s
A computer is defined as a device that performs processes, calculations, and operations based on a set of instructions. A more modern definition of a computer would be an electronic device that can manipulate, store, retrieve, and process data. Back when the first computer was developed, the former definition fit the requirements of that computer. As technology became more advanced, computers now fit the latter definition of a computer.
The idea of a computer took place in the 1800s. Technology back then was not very advanced, and so were the computers. The computers back then could often do only one thing and sometimes were general-purpose. Back then computers were pretty big at the time and sometimes could be the size of a full desk.
1822: Charles Babbage and the idea of a computer
The first idea of a computer came in 1822 when Charles Babbage, who is known as the father of computers, began developing the Difference Engine. This computer was considered the first automatic computing machine and can compute several sets of numbers and print out the result. In 1837, he started developing the Analytical Engine, which was general-purpose and contained components essential for today’s computers. This machine featured integrated memory and an Arithmetic Logic Unit, which makes up the CPU and GPU of modern computers. However, both the machines Babbage conceptualized were not created until after his death; the Analytical Engine was created in 1910 by his son and the Difference Engine was created in 1991.
Charles Babbage's Difference Engine, which was the first known computer announced in 1822.
1890: The creation of a computer that can store information
The first machine to create and store information was created in 1890 by Herman Hollerith. According to the US Census Bureau, The US Census company collected more data than they could tabulate so in 1888, they decided to hold competition to see which machine could tabulate the same amount of data but in the least amount of time. He developed a method for machines to store the data presented in punch cards, which were previously used by Babbage’s machines. He won the contest and helped helped store information from the US Census and helped save the census office millions of dollars. Hollerith later helped form one of the pioneer companies of the tech industry, IBM.
Hollerith's tabulating machine that saved
the US Census office millions of dollars.
Source: US Census Bureau