History of Technology

July 6, 2009
 History questions
• What is a computer?
• When was it invented?
• What is the Internet?
• When was it invented?
• Who invented it?
 What is a computer?

• a machine for performing calculations

automatically
• A computer is a machine that manipulates
data according to a set of instructions.
• Electronic device that receives, processes,
and stores data, and produces a result
(output)
• Before electronic computers became
commercially available, the term
"computer", in use from the mid 17th
century, literally meant "one who
computes": a person performing
 When was it invented?

• Tally sticks (35,000 BC)  Abacus (2400 BC)

• Difference engine (1700-1800 AD)  Punch cards (1871)
• Z1 (1938)  Z2 (1939, Electro-mechanical)
• ENIAC (1947, Vacuum tubes)  Transistors (1947)
• Integrated circuit (1958)  Microchip
Abacus
Abacus
 Abacus
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EueFhYZ4H
Difference Engine
Difference Engine
 Difference Engine
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0anIyVGeW
ENIAC
ENIAC
 ENIAC
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGIteTE9gl
 What is the Internet?

• a computer network consisting of a worldwide

network of computer networks that use the TCP/IP
network protocols to facilitate data transmissionA
• The Internet is a global system of interconnected
computer networks.
• A network of networks that links workstations
over telecommunication lines to share files and
exchange e-mail internationally.
• The open global network of interconnected
commercial, educational and governmental
computer networks that use a common
communications protocal TCP/IP.
 When was it invented?
• Internet is about long-distance
communication…
• Before Internet there was:
– Smoke signals
– Ships
– Carrier pigeons
– Horses
– Mail
– Telegraph
– Telephone
– Cell phone
 When was it invented? Who
invented it?
• DARPA = DoD Advanced Research
Projects Agency
• ARPANET, 2 computers, October
1969
• ARPANET, 4 computers, December
1969
• ARPANET, 213 computers, 1981
• ARPANET becomes core of new
“Internet”
Internet growth
 How the Internet works
• User
• Computer
• Anti-Virus
• Firewall
• Router
• Modem
• Internet Service Provider
• Network Provider
• Internet Backbone
• Server
 How the Internet works
• User: choose Email, Instant Message, or
Webpage
• Computer: Tag on port number (25 =
email, 14277 = IM, 80 = www)
• Anti-virus: Just checking…
• Firewall: Is port allowed in? Allowed
out?
• Router: Where is it going?
• Modem: OK I’ll talk to the ISP.
• ISP: OK I’ll send it to the NP.
• NP: OK I’ll put it on the right pipe.
• Server: Got your message, responding.
 How the Internet works
• When you connect to your ISP, you
become part of their network. The
ISP may then connect to a larger
network and become part of their
network. The Internet is simply a
network of networks.
 How the Internet works
• http://www.warriorsofthe.net/
 Computer History
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nXFnCD72J