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Computer System

1 (Additions)

1.9 EVOLUTION OF COMPUTER

Evolution of computers contributes to the developments made in this field in terms of
computing devices being used, technologies used and software used. Let’s begin discussing
these concepts.

1.9.1 Evolution of Computing Devices

Humans have always needed to perform arithmetic operations like counting and adding. During
the prehistoric period, they counted either on their fingers or by making scratch marks on the
walls of the caves, paving the way for counting with the help of stones, pebbles and beads.
The gradual evolution of arithmetic methods led to the evolution of certain machines, further
leading to the evolution of present-day computers.

ABACUS (3003 BC)
Upper Beads
• The abacus was invented in 3000 BC in Babylonia. Deck
Beam
• It consists of beads on rods to count and calculate. Rods
Lower
• It is still widely used in Asia. Deck Frame

SLIDE RULE (1630 BC)

• Slide Rule was invented in 1630 BC.

• It was based on Napier’s rules for logarithms.
• It was used till the 1970s.

PASCAL’S ADDING MACHINE (1642 AD)

• In 1642 AD, Blaise Pascal, a French mathematician, invented
a calculating machine named Adding Machine.

• This machine was capable of doing addition and subtraction.
This device is known as the First Calculator of the

world.