

Many mechanical aids to calculation and measurement were constructed for astronomical and navigation use. Devices of a level of complexity comparable to that of the Antikythera mechanism would not reappear until a thousand years later. It was discovered in 1901 in the Antikythera wreck off the Greek island of Antikythera, between Kythera and Crete, and has been dated to c. It was designed to calculate astronomical positions. The Antikythera mechanism is believed to be the earliest mechanical analog computer, according to Derek J. The Antikythera mechanism, dating back to ancient Greece circa 150–100 BC, is an early analog computing device. The Online Etymology Dictionary states that the use of the term to mean "'calculating machine' (of any type) is from 1897." The Online Etymology Dictionary indicates that the "modern use" of the term, to mean 'programmable digital electronic computer' dates from "1945 under this name theoretical from 1937, as Turing machine". The Online Etymology Dictionary gives the first attested use of computer in the 1640s, meaning 'one who calculates' this is an "agent noun from compute (v.)". By 1943, most human computers were women. During the latter part of this period women were often hired as computers because they could be paid less than their male counterparts. The word continued with the same meaning until the middle of the 20th century.
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Simple manual instruments like the abacus have aided people in doing calculations since ancient times. Computers power the Internet, which links billions of other computers and users.Įarly computers were meant to be used only for calculations. Simple special-purpose devices like microwave ovens and remote controls are included, as are factory devices like industrial robots and computer-aided design, as well as general-purpose devices like personal computers and mobile devices like smartphones. This term may also refer to a group of computers that are linked and function together, such as a computer network or computer cluster.Ī broad range of industrial and consumer products use computers as control systems.

A computer system is a "complete" computer that includes the hardware, operating system (main software), and peripheral equipment needed and used for "full" operation.

These programs enable computers to perform a wide range of tasks. Modern computers can perform generic sets of operations known as programs. Computers and computing devices from different eras – clockwise from top left:ĭesktop computer (IBM ThinkCentre S50 with monitor)Ī computer is a digital electronic machine that can be programmed to carry out sequences of arithmetic or logical operations ( computation) automatically.
