Computer is an invention of human beings to enhance their capabilities to accomplish tasks.Modern Computers are developed after a gradual change over a long period of time.Tribal life in ancient time required man to remember a lot of information,so an early man felt the need to count the things.Then he started counting using his own fingers.However,the limited number of fingers had made it difficult for him to remember more facts.Thus,he started different methods to count using stones,sticks,scratches on a rock or wall,or knot in a string.As a result,during fifth century Hindu philosopher could develop a new method of counting using the numbers 0 to9.Since there are ten digits,the Arabic Number System method was called Decimal Number System of counting.Hence, the history of computer implies the gradual change in the concept over a long period of time.In the following section, we will explain the history of computing machines from their early forms to the most modern high speed electronic computers.
Abacus:
In early days,people used pebbles or beads on a counting board to carry out simple calculations.This tool is called the Abacus.Its exact origin is unknown.It may have originated in China,Egypt and Greece during 5000B.C. to2000B.C.The abacus employs a positional number system(Place Value Notation).The value of a bead depends on its location,the majority of Abacuses use Decimal System.The abacuses has several rows of beads string on rigid wires fixed in a rectangular frame.The beads on the rightmost wire represent ones,on the next adjacent wire towards left represent tens,on the third wire representing hundreds and so on.If Abacus has 11 wires the beads in the left most wire will have a place value of 1010.
Napier's bone:
In 1614 John Napier,a Scottish Mathematician first published the first table of logarithms.It was very helpful in simplifying multiplication of large numbers.In 1617 Napier also developed a numbered rod in order to multiply,divide and extract roots,known as Napier's bone.It was called so because it was made up of strips of bones on which numbers were painted.
Slide Rule:
In 1620,Slide Rule was developed by William Ought red,UK which is an Analog device.It used the principle of logarithms.There are two graduated scales.One scale slides or slips upon the other.With proper alignment of the two scales,it is easy to find the product,quotient or any other function simply by viewing on the scales.
Abacus:
In early days,people used pebbles or beads on a counting board to carry out simple calculations.This tool is called the Abacus.Its exact origin is unknown.It may have originated in China,Egypt and Greece during 5000B.C. to2000B.C.The abacus employs a positional number system(Place Value Notation).The value of a bead depends on its location,the majority of Abacuses use Decimal System.The abacuses has several rows of beads string on rigid wires fixed in a rectangular frame.The beads on the rightmost wire represent ones,on the next adjacent wire towards left represent tens,on the third wire representing hundreds and so on.If Abacus has 11 wires the beads in the left most wire will have a place value of 1010.
Napier's bone:
In 1614 John Napier,a Scottish Mathematician first published the first table of logarithms.It was very helpful in simplifying multiplication of large numbers.In 1617 Napier also developed a numbered rod in order to multiply,divide and extract roots,known as Napier's bone.It was called so because it was made up of strips of bones on which numbers were painted.
Slide Rule:
In 1620,Slide Rule was developed by William Ought red,UK which is an Analog device.It used the principle of logarithms.There are two graduated scales.One scale slides or slips upon the other.With proper alignment of the two scales,it is easy to find the product,quotient or any other function simply by viewing on the scales.
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