The document provides a brief history of computers from 3000 BC to 1995 AD. It describes early calculating devices like the abacus and lists important developments like Charles Babbage originating the concept of a programmable computer in 1822. It then outlines the creation of early general purpose computers in the 1940s and key advancements that led to the development of personal computers in the 1970s and 1980s, including the Altair 8800 and the Apple I. The document ends with questions about personal experiences with computers.
3. Pre-history…
3000 BC - first dust abacus
1800 BC – first algorithms
500 BC – first wire and bead based abacus
200 AD – Chinese ‘Suanpan’ computing tray
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79. 1 - What was your first experience of using a computer?
2 - What was the first computer you ever bought (if at all), and
what considerations did you have to take on board when making
the purchasing decision?
3 - Have you ever physically built or modified a computer?
4 - Do you think computer engineering/science should be taught at
school?
5 - How important do you think a knowledge of how computers
work is in understanding their potential/limitations?
6 - What do you know about the Raspberry Pi project, and how
successful do you think it will be?
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