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Differential Analyzers

Computers have evolved greatly over time, starting as early analog computing devices used by ancient Greeks and Romans. Mechanical analog computers later incorporated electric power in the 19th century. The development of electronics, beginning with vacuum tubes presenting the Edison Effect in 1885, revolutionized computing. Analog computers aided World War II efforts, while the Colossus and ENIAC were early electronic digital computers developed during the war. Today's digital computers incorporate solid-state electronics and integrated circuits, becoming smaller and more affordable.

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35 views

Differential Analyzers

Computers have evolved greatly over time, starting as early analog computing devices used by ancient Greeks and Romans. Mechanical analog computers later incorporated electric power in the 19th century. The development of electronics, beginning with vacuum tubes presenting the Edison Effect in 1885, revolutionized computing. Analog computers aided World War II efforts, while the Colossus and ENIAC were early electronic digital computers developed during the war. Today's digital computers incorporate solid-state electronics and integrated circuits, becoming smaller and more affordable.

Uploaded by

Bojo Fama
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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omputers and electronics play an enormous role in today's society, impacting

everything from communication and medicine to science.

Although computers are typically viewed as a modern invention involving


electronics, computing predates the use of electrical devices. The ancient abacus
was perhaps the first digital computing device. Analog computing dates back
several millennia as primitive computing devices were used as early as the ancient
Greeks and Romans, the most known complex of which being the Antikythera
mechanism. Later devices such as the castle clock (1206), slide rule (c. 1624) and
Babbage's Difference Engine (1822) are other examples of early mechanical
analog computers.

The introduction of electric power in the 19th century led to the rise of electrical
and hybrid electro-mechanical devices to carry out both digital (Hollerith punch-
card machine) and analog (Bush’s differential analyzer) calculation. Telephone
switching came to be based on this technology, which led to the development of
machines that we would recognize as early computers.

The presentation of the Edison Effect in 1885 provided the theoretical background
for electronic devices. Originally in the form of vacuum tubes, electronic
components were rapidly integrated into electric devices, revolutionizing radio and
later television. It was in computers however, where the full impact of electronics
was felt. Analog computers used to calculate ballistics were crucial to the outcome
of World War II, and the Colossus and the ENIAC, the two earliest electronic
digital computers, were developed during the war.

With the invention of solid-state electronics, the transistor and ultimately the
integrated circuit, computers would become much smaller and eventually
affordable for the average consumer. Today “computers” are present in nearly
every aspect of everyday life, from watches to automobiles.

STARS Articles

STARS articles are peer-reviewed articles on the history of major developments in


technology. Available in the computers and information processing category are:

Differential Analyzers
Early Punched Card Equipment, 1880 - 1951

Early Popular Computers, 1950 - 1970

Electronic Calculators: Desktop to Pocket

IBM System/360

Inventing the Computer

Software Industry

Word Processing for the Japanese Language

Subcategories

Automation - The use of information technologies and control systems to reduce


the need for human labor in the production of goods and services

Circuitry - Included are topics which deal with the workings and issues dealing
with circuitry, such as circuit noise, silicon on insulator technology and circuit
synthesis

Computational and artificial intelligence - Covers aspects dealing with artificial


intelligence from a computational standpoint

Computer applications - Various practical applications of computing such as


computer aided design and telecommunications community

Computer architecture - The inner workings of computers, including data


structures, system buses and distributed computing

Computer classes - Different kinds of computers, such as calculators, analog and


digital computers.

Computer networks - Topics dealing with networking, such as IP networks,


multicasting and WAN.

Computer science - The mathematical, algorithmic and scientific elements of


computing are included here, such as algorithm analysis, programming and graph
theory.
Computing - Various types of computing such as high performance, mobile and
optical computing

Consumer electronics - Electronic devices designed for consumer purchases such


as sound systems

Contacts - Electrical contacts for joining electrical circuits

Data systems - Topics dealing with systems that process data

Digital systems - Systems like metropolitan area networks and token networks are
covered under this category

Distributed computing - All aspects of distributed computing including client-


server systems, peer to peer computing and file servers are included in this
category

Electron devices - Electron devices and tubes such as cathode ray tubes, vacuum
tubes and electron guns

Electronic components - Topics pertaining to components such as capacitors,


resistors, diodes and switches

Electronic equipment manufacture - Various elements related to the manufacturing


element of components, circuitry and devices are included in this category

Filtering - Different types of filtering methods such as active, Bragg and harmonic
filters

High-speed electronics - Includes integrated circuits, networks, and Ultrafast


electronics.

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