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A Short History of Computing Tim Bergin Tim Bergin Computing History Museum Computing History Museum American University American University
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Page 1: History

A Short History of Computing

Tim BerginTim Bergin

Computing History MuseumComputing History Museum

American UniversityAmerican University

Page 2: History

Ancient History

Page 3: History

Abacus

• 3000 BCE, early 3000 BCE, early form of beads on form of beads on wires, used in wires, used in ChinaChina

• From semitic From semitic abaqabaq, meaning , meaning dust.dust.

Page 4: History

Table Abacus

100,000 ------100,000 -------------------------------------------------------------------- 50,000 -----50,000 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10,000 -----10,000 -------- --- --- --- ---------------------------------------------- 5,000 -----5,000 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1,000 -----1,000 --------------------------------------------------------------------- 500 -----------------------------------------500 ----------------------------------------- 100 -----100 ------------------------------------------- -------------------- 50 50

------------- ---------------------------------- ------------------------------- 10 ------------------------------------------10 ------------------------------------------ 5 ------------------------------------------5 ------------------------------------------ 1 -----1 -------------------------------------------------------------------------

Page 5: History

Chinese Swan Pan

Page 6: History

The Middle Ages

Page 7: History

Charles Babbage (1791-1871)

Page 8: History

Charles Babbage (1791-1871)

• Born: December 26, 1791Born: December 26, 1791• son of Benjamin Babbage a London bankerson of Benjamin Babbage a London banker

(part of the emerging (part of the emerging middle class: property, middle class: property, education, wealth, and statuseducation, wealth, and status))

• Trinity College, Cambridge [MA, 1817]Trinity College, Cambridge [MA, 1817]

with John Herschel and George Peacock, with John Herschel and George Peacock, produced a translation of LaCroix’s calculus produced a translation of LaCroix’s calculus text.text.

Page 9: History

A vision of calculating by steam!

My friend Herschel, calling upon My friend Herschel, calling upon

me, brought with him the me, brought with him the calculations of the computers, calculations of the computers, and we commenced the tedious and we commenced the tedious process of verification. After a process of verification. After a time many discrepancies time many discrepancies occurred, and at one point occurred, and at one point these discordances were so these discordances were so numerous that I exclaimed, “I numerous that I exclaimed, “I wish to God these calculations wish to God these calculations had been executed by steam.” had been executed by steam.” 18211821

Page 10: History

Never to be completed

• December 1830, a December 1830, a

dispute with his chief dispute with his chief engineer, Joseph engineer, Joseph Clement, over control Clement, over control of the project, ends of the project, ends work on the difference work on the difference engineengine

• Clement is allowed to Clement is allowed to keep all keep all toolstools and and drawings by English drawings by English lawlaw

Page 11: History

Importance of the Difference Engine

• 1. First attempt to 1. First attempt to devisedevise a computing a computing machine that was machine that was automatic in actionautomatic in action and and well adapted, by its printing mechanism, to well adapted, by its printing mechanism, to a mathematical task of considerable a mathematical task of considerable importanceimportance..

• 2. An example of 2. An example of government subsidizationgovernment subsidization of innovation and technology developmentof innovation and technology development

• 3. 3. Spin offsSpin offs to the to the machine-tool “industrymachine-tool “industry””

Page 12: History

Science Museum’s Reconstruction

• Difference Engine Number 2Difference Engine Number 2 (1847 to (1847 to 1849) constructed according to 1849) constructed according to Babbage’s original drawings (Babbage’s original drawings (minor minor modificationsmodifications))

• 1991 Bicentenary Celebration1991 Bicentenary Celebration• 4,000 parts4,000 parts• 7 feet high, 11 feet long, 18 inches deep7 feet high, 11 feet long, 18 inches deep• 500,000 pounds500,000 pounds

Page 13: History

Science Museum Recreation 1991 (Doron Swade, Curator)

Page 14: History
Page 15: History

Analytical Engine

Page 16: History
Page 17: History

Ada Augusta Byron, 1815-1852

• born on 10 December 1815.born on 10 December 1815.• named after Byron's half named after Byron's half

sister, Augusta, who had sister, Augusta, who had been his mistress.been his mistress.

• After Byron had left for the After Byron had left for the Continent with a parting shot Continent with a parting shot -- 'When shall we three meet -- 'When shall we three meet again?' -- Ada was brought again?' -- Ada was brought up by her mother.up by her mother.

Page 18: History

Ada Augusta Byron, Countess of Lovelace

• Translated Menebrea’s paper into EnglishTranslated Menebrea’s paper into English• Taylor’s: Taylor’s: ““The editorial notes are by the The editorial notes are by the

translator, the Countess of Lovelacetranslator, the Countess of Lovelace.”.”• Footnotes enhance the text and provide Footnotes enhance the text and provide

examples of how the Analytical Engine examples of how the Analytical Engine could be used, i.e., how it would be could be used, i.e., how it would be programmed to solve problems!programmed to solve problems!

• Myth: “world’s first programmer”Myth: “world’s first programmer”

Page 19: History

Herman Hollerith and the Evolution of Electronic Accounting Machines

Page 20: History

Herman Hollerith (1860-1929)

Page 21: History

Herman Hollerith

• Born: February 29, 1860Born: February 29, 1860– Civil War: 1861-1865Civil War: 1861-1865

• Columbia School of Mines (New York)Columbia School of Mines (New York)• 1879 hired at Census Office1879 hired at Census Office• 1882 MIT faculty (1882 MIT faculty (T is for technologyT is for technology!)!)• 1883 St. Louis (1883 St. Louis (inventorinventor))• 1884 Patent Office (Wash, DC)1884 Patent Office (Wash, DC)• 1885 “Expert and Solicitor of 1885 “Expert and Solicitor of PatentsPatents””

Page 22: History

Census

• Article I, Section 2: Representatives and Article I, Section 2: Representatives and direct Taxes shall be apportioned direct Taxes shall be apportioned among the several states...among the several states...according to according to their respective numberstheir respective numbers...(and) ...(and) every ...term of ten yearsevery ...term of ten years

• 1790: 1st US census1790: 1st US census• Population: 3,929,214Population: 3,929,214• Census OfficeCensus Office

Page 23: History

Population Growth:

• 17901790 4 million4 million• 18401840 17 million17 million• 18701870 40 million40 million• 18801880 50 million50 million

fear of not being able to enumerate fear of not being able to enumerate the census in the 10 intervening yearsthe census in the 10 intervening years

• 18901890 63 million63 million

Page 24: History

Smithsonian Exhibit (old)

Page 25: History

Computing Tabulating Recording Company,(C-T-R)

• 1911: Charles Flint 1911: Charles Flint – ComputingComputing Scale Scale

Company (Dayton, OH)Company (Dayton, OH)– TabulatingTabulating Machine Machine

Company, andCompany, and– International TimeInternational Time

RecordingRecording Company Company (Binghamton, NY)(Binghamton, NY)

Page 26: History

• Thomas J. WatsonThomas J. Watson

(1874-1956) (1874-1956)

hired as first presidenthired as first president

• In1924, Watson In1924, Watson renames CTR as renames CTR as International International Business MachinesBusiness Machines

Page 27: History

Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer

• 1st large scale electronic digital 1st large scale electronic digital computercomputer

• designed and constructed at the designed and constructed at the Moore SchoolMoore School of Electrical Engineering of Electrical Engineering of the University of Pennsylvaniaof the University of Pennsylvania– since 1920s, faculty had worked with since 1920s, faculty had worked with

Aberdeen Proving Ground’s Aberdeen Proving Ground’s Ballistics Ballistics Research Laboratory (BRL)Research Laboratory (BRL)

Page 28: History

Inspiration and Perspiration Unite

• 19431943 Mauchly and Eckert prepare a Mauchly and Eckert prepare a proposal for the US Army to build an proposal for the US Army to build an Electronic Numerical IntegratorElectronic Numerical Integrator– calculate a trajectory in 1 secondcalculate a trajectory in 1 second

• May 31, 1943May 31, 1943 Construction of ENIAC starts Construction of ENIAC starts• 19441944 early thoughts on early thoughts on stored programstored program

computers by members of the ENIAC teamcomputers by members of the ENIAC team• July 1944July 1944 two two accumulatorsaccumulators working working

Page 29: History

Accumulator(28 vacuum tubes)

Page 30: History
Page 31: History

ENIAC at Moore School, University of Pennsylvania

Page 32: History
Page 33: History

Early Thoughts about Stored Program Computing

• January 1944January 1944 Moore School team thinks of Moore School team thinks of better ways to do things; leverages delay line better ways to do things; leverages delay line memories from War researchmemories from War research

• September 1944September 1944 John von Neumann visits John von Neumann visits – Goldstine’s meeting at Aberdeen Train StationGoldstine’s meeting at Aberdeen Train Station

• October 1944October 1944 Army extends the ENIAC contract Army extends the ENIAC contract to include research on the to include research on the EDVAC EDVAC and theand the stored-program conceptstored-program concept

• Spring 1945Spring 1945 ENIAC working well ENIAC working well• June 1945June 1945 First Draft of a Report on the First Draft of a Report on the

EDVAC: Electronic Discrete Variable EDVAC: Electronic Discrete Variable Automatic ComputerAutomatic Computer

Page 34: History

First Draft Report (June 1945)

• John von Neumann prepares (John von Neumann prepares (??) a report on ) a report on the EDVAC which identifies how the machine the EDVAC which identifies how the machine could be programmed (unfinished very rough could be programmed (unfinished very rough draft)draft)– academic: publish for the good of scienceacademic: publish for the good of science– engineers: patents, patents, patentsengineers: patents, patents, patents

• von Neumann never repudiates the myth that von Neumann never repudiates the myth that he wrote it; he wrote it; most members of the ENIAC team most members of the ENIAC team ontribute ideasontribute ideas

Page 35: History

British Efforts

Page 36: History

Manchester Mark I (1948)

Page 37: History

Manchester Mark I (1948)

• Freddy Williams and Tom KilburnFreddy Williams and Tom Kilburn• Developed an electrostatic memoryDeveloped an electrostatic memory• Prototype operational June 21, 1948 and Prototype operational June 21, 1948 and

machine to execute a stored programmachine to execute a stored program• Memory: 32 words of 32 bits eachMemory: 32 words of 32 bits each• Storage: single Williams tube (CRT)Storage: single Williams tube (CRT)• Fully operational: October 1949Fully operational: October 1949• Ferranti Mark I delivered in February 1951Ferranti Mark I delivered in February 1951

Page 38: History

EDSAC

• Maurice WilkesMaurice Wilkes, , University Mathematical University Mathematical Laboratory,Laboratory, Cambridge University Cambridge University

• Moore School LecturesMoore School Lectures• Electronic Delay Storage Automatic Electronic Delay Storage Automatic

Calculator, EDSACCalculator, EDSAC operational operational May, 1949May, 1949• J. Lyons Company and the LEO, Lyons J. Lyons Company and the LEO, Lyons

Electronic OfficeElectronic Office, operational fall 1951, operational fall 1951

Page 39: History
Page 40: History

National Physical Laboratory

• Alan TuringAlan Turing• Automatic Computing Engine (ACE)Automatic Computing Engine (ACE)• Basic design by spring, 1946Basic design by spring, 1946• Harry Huskey joins projectHarry Huskey joins project• Pilot ACE working, May 10, 1950Pilot ACE working, May 10, 1950• English Electric: DEUCE, 1954English Electric: DEUCE, 1954• Full version of ACE at NPL, 1959Full version of ACE at NPL, 1959

Page 41: History

Alan Turing (1912-1954)

• On Computable On Computable Numbers with an Numbers with an application to the application to the Entscheidungs-Entscheidungs-problemproblem

• Code breakerCode breaker

Page 42: History
Page 43: History

Mainframe Computers

Page 44: History
Page 45: History

John Mauchly leaning on the UNIVersal Automatic Computer

Page 46: History

Remington Rand UNIVAC• 43 UNIVACs43 UNIVACs were delivered to were delivered to

government and industry government and industry • Memory: mercury delay linesMemory: mercury delay lines: 1000 : 1000

words of 12 alphanumeric characterswords of 12 alphanumeric characters• Secondary storage: metal oxide tapeSecondary storage: metal oxide tape• Access time: 222 microseconds (average)Access time: 222 microseconds (average)• Instruction set: 45 operation codesInstruction set: 45 operation codes• Accumulators: 4Accumulators: 4• Clock: 2.25 MhzClock: 2.25 Mhz

Page 47: History

IBM 701 (Defense Calculator)

• Addition time: 60 microsecondsAddition time: 60 microseconds• Multiplication: 456 microsecondsMultiplication: 456 microseconds• Memory: 2048 (36 bit) words using Memory: 2048 (36 bit) words using

Williams tubesWilliams tubes• Secondary memory:Secondary memory:

– Magnetic drum: 8192 wordsMagnetic drum: 8192 words– Magnetic tape: plasticMagnetic tape: plastic

• Delivered: Delivered: December 1952December 1952: IBM World : IBM World Headquarters (total of 19 installed)Headquarters (total of 19 installed)

Page 48: History

Second Generation (1958-1964)

• 1958 Philco introduces TRANSAC S-20001958 Philco introduces TRANSAC S-2000– first transistorized commercial machinefirst transistorized commercial machine

• IBM 7070, 7074 (1960), 7072(1961)IBM 7070, 7074 (1960), 7072(1961)• 1959 IBM 7090, 7040 (1961), 7094 (1962)1959 IBM 7090, 7040 (1961), 7094 (1962)• 1959 IBM 1401, 1410 (1960), 1440 (1962)1959 IBM 1401, 1410 (1960), 1440 (1962)• FORTRAN, ALGOLFORTRAN, ALGOL, and , and COBOLCOBOL are first are first

standardized programming languagesstandardized programming languages

Page 49: History

Third Generation (1964-1971)

• April 1964 IBM announces the System/360April 1964 IBM announces the System/360– solid logic technology (integrated circuits)solid logic technology (integrated circuits)– family of “compatible” computersfamily of “compatible” computers

• 1964 Control Data delivers the CDC 66001964 Control Data delivers the CDC 6600• nanosecondsnanoseconds• telecommunicationstelecommunications• BASICBASIC, Beginners All-purpose Symbolic , Beginners All-purpose Symbolic

Instruction CodeInstruction Code

Page 50: History

Fourth Generation (1971- )

• Large scale integrated circuits (MSI, LSI)Large scale integrated circuits (MSI, LSI)• Nanoseconds and picosecondsNanoseconds and picoseconds• Databases (large)Databases (large)• Structured languages (Structured languages (PascalPascal))• Structured techniquesStructured techniques• Business packagesBusiness packages

Page 51: History

Digital Equipment Corporation

(Mini-computers)

Page 52: History

Assabet Mills, Maynard, MA

Page 53: History

Flipchip

Page 54: History

PDP-8, first mass-produced Mini

Page 55: History

PDP-11 (1970)

Page 56: History

Microcomputers

Page 57: History

Intel

• Noyce, MooreNoyce, Moore, and , and Andrew GroveAndrew Grove leave leave Fairchild and found Intel in 1968Fairchild and found Intel in 1968– focus on random access memory (RAM) chipsfocus on random access memory (RAM) chips

• Question: if you can put transistors, Question: if you can put transistors, capacitors, etc. on a chip, why couldn’t capacitors, etc. on a chip, why couldn’t you put a central processor on a chip?you put a central processor on a chip?

• Ted Hoff Ted Hoff designs the designs the Intel 4004Intel 4004, the first , the first microprocessor in microprocessor in 19691969– based on based on Digital’s PDP-8Digital’s PDP-8

Page 58: History

Microcomputers

• Ed RobertsEd Roberts founds founds Micro Instrumentation Micro Instrumentation Telemetry Systems (MITS)Telemetry Systems (MITS) in 1968 in 1968

• Popular Electronics Popular Electronics puts the MITS puts the MITS Altair Altair on the cover in January 1975 on the cover in January 1975 [[Intel 8080Intel 8080]]

• Les Solomon’sLes Solomon’s 12 year old daughter, 12 year old daughter, LaurenLauren, was a lover of , was a lover of Star TrekStar Trek. He . He asked her what the name of the asked her what the name of the computer on thecomputer on the Enterprise Enterprise was. She said was. She said “ ‘computer’ but why don’t you call it “ ‘computer’ but why don’t you call it AltairAltair because that is where they are because that is where they are going tonight!”going tonight!”

Page 59: History

Altair 8800 Computer

Page 60: History

Intel processors

• CPUCPU YearYear DataData MemoryMemory MIPSMIPS• 40044004 19711971 44 1K1K• 80088008 19721972 88 16K16K• 80808080 19741974 88 64K64K• 80888088 19801980 88 1M1M .33.33• 8028680286 19821982 1616 1M1M 33• 8038680386 19851985 3232 4G4G 1111• 8048680486 19891989 3232 4G4G 4141• Pentium1993Pentium1993 6464 4G4G 111 111