Page 5 - Digital_Kids_5

1 History and Generations

of Computer

Chapter Outline

History of Computer Personal Computer
Generations of Computers Types of Computers

Every aspect of our lives in the present era has been influenced by the most advanced

machine known as a computer. In the beginning, computers were used only by scientists
and engineers for complex calculations, and they were very expensive. Nowadays,
computers are affordable and can be used not only by large organizations but also by
small organizations and even individuals.

They have now become a basic need because of their wide use in almost every workplace.
Computers are extensively used in banks, hospitals, media and entertainment, industries,

schools, homes, space technology, research, railways, airports, and many more fields.

History of Computer

The need to keep track of numbers led to the invention of various calculating devices.
Starting from the Abacus, which was the first counting device, many other devices

were later invented, and these inventions gradually led to the development of modern
computers.

Abacus

The Abacus was the first mechanical device invented for
performing calculations, and it was developed in China.
It was made of a wooden frame consisting of rods, each

containing beads. The frame was divided into two parts
known as Heaven and Earth. Each rod in the Heaven section
had two beads, while each rod in the Earth section had five

beads. The Abacus was mainly used for performing basic
arithmetic operations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.

Napier's Bones
In 1617, a Scottish mathematician named John Napier invented a

calculating device called Napier's Bones. This device consisted of
a set of rectangular rods with numbers marked on them. It was
mainly used for simple calculations such as addition, subtraction,

5 Computer — 5