We can say that computer change the
world. If without computer, can you connect your oversea family several times a
week and talk as long as you can with an affordable price. The answer is “NO”. If without computer, can you finish your
important project at home without worrying how to find related information? The answer is “No”. Computer becomes one part
of our daily life. Now let’s study the history of computer science.
From Wikipedia, “the
earliest foundations of what would become computer science predate the
invention of the modern digital computer". Before
using digital computer, people have been using variable mechanical devices for
calculation. Abacus is the oldest machine for calculation which can be traced
back to thousands of years ago. In 1642,
Blaise Pascal built the gear-driven one-function calculator. During 1822 to 1836, Charlies Babbage had an
idea of salient features of modern computer in his automatic mechanical
calculator. Around 1885, Herman
Hollerith invented the Tabulator. Later, Herman’s company became part of IBM.
In 1937, Howard Aiken convinced IBM to develop the programmable calculator, the
ASCC/HARVARD Mark I.
During the
1940s, the term, computer, began to refer to the calculator machines. Along the
study of computer, people found that computer works not only on math calculation
but also on other field. In 1950s,
computer science began to be established as a distinct academic discipline.
Today,
computer science becomes a popular, well-known field of study in universities. In the United States alone, nearly every
undergraduate college offers a major in the discipline, and more than 190 universities
offer PhD programs.
Reference:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_science
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