Apple Mac, PCs and Charles Babbage

Posted on 23. Dec, 2009 by charles in Cities, Entrepreneurs, Inventors, People, Self Development

It is only 25 years ago that the first Apple Computer went on sale. It came 8 years after Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak sold their first their first computer circuit board. In between, the IBM – PC machine was marketed in 1981. I remember buying a Sinclair  ZX81, albeit for my son to use. I never thought  that I would have learn how to type – after all we had typists to do that job!! How the world has changed. These innovations to produce mass market computers has sparked changes in communication and work which are still reverberating today – as Apple prepares to launch a new product.

But, the development of computers goes back at least 160 years. Who remembers Charles Babbage and Ada Lovelace?  Charles developed the concept of the programmable computer during the 1820s and 30s and gained money for its development  from the British Government, albeit it was never completed. Ada Lovelace, was  the daughter of Lord Byron. She  wrote up the technical specifications and put forward proposals on applications that were to be realized over 150 years and more later.

In between, there were many experiments and developments. In the great wars, both sides had machines to encrypt and send secret messages. However, it was not till 1946 that the ENIAC general purpose electronic computer came into operation. it required vast space in a large building. What a contrast with hand held machines of today that are more powerful. That has been due in large part to the development of super conducting chips, particularly the Intel versions that started in 1972.

Many people have contributed to the development of computers but particularly Charles Babbage and Ada Lovelace. Both were amazing people.

Thanks to qthomasbower for the use of the flickr photo.

Tags: Apple Computer, Babbage, Computer, Lovelace, PCs