E2011: Theoretical fundamentals of computer
science
Topic 1: Computing platforms - a historical
perspective
Vlad Popovici, Ph.D.
Fac. of Science - RECETOX
Outline
A historical perspective
Earliest devices
Rise of digital computing
First computers
Earliest devices
Abacus
▶ starting around 3000 BC
▶ widely spread across ancient
civilizations (Babylonians,
Chinese, Greeks,...)
▶ basic arithmetic operations
from: https://alohagujarat.com/blog/
the-origin-and-evolution-of-abacus
from: https:
//www.ecb.torontomu.ca/~elf/abacus/history.html
Quipu
▶ cultures in Andean region
▶ knots on strings for keeping
records
Public Domain, https:
//commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=123557
Antikythera machanism
▶ cca 100 BC
▶ analog device for
astronomical calculations
▶ one of the earliest
mechanical ”computers”
▶ uses dials for input/output
and gears to perform
operations
from: https://www.livescience.com/
antikythera-mechanism-photos
Napier’s Bones (1617)
▶ rods with engraved numbers
▶ enabled multiplication and
division through a series of
mechanical calculations
from:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Napier’s_bones
Pascal’s calculator (1642)
▶ ”Pascaline”
▶ rotating wheels for
performing additions and
subtractions
▶ intended for computing
taxes
▶ could use different bases (6,
10, 12, 20) in various
configurations from: https:
//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pascal’s_calculator
Leibniz’s step reckoner (1673)
▶ able to perform all four arithmetic operations
Babbage’s analytical engine (1837)
▶ first design of a
general-purpose computer
▶ arithmetic logic unit, control
flow, loops and memory
▶ use of punched cards for
programming
from:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Analytical_engine
Electronic relays, vacuum tubes, transistors
▶ electronic relays:
electro-mechanical devices
from: https://computerhistory.org/
Electronic relays, vacuum tubes, transistors
▶ vacuum tubes/valves:
thermionic effect
from: https://computerhistory.org/
recreation
of Colossus computer - from
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colossus_computer
Electronic relays, vacuum tubes, transistors
▶ transistors: semiconductor
device, can amplify or switch
electrical signals
▶ 1833: Faraday: first
semiconductor effect
▶ 1948: Shockley transistor
Visit the ”Computing History Museum”:
https://www.computerhistory.org/!
Colossus at Bletchley Park (1944) - built for breaking codes
Mark I at Harvard (1944) - relay-based (3,500 relays)
ENIAC (1946) - vacuum tube-based, 1000x faster
IBM 650 (1954) - first mass-produced computer
CDC 6600 (1964) - fastest of its time, introduces ”peripherals”
IBM System/360 (1964) - IBM’s first integrated circuit computer
Xerox PARC Alto (1974) - windows, icons, mouse, LAN...
Apple I (1976) - for hobbyists
Cray I (1976) - one of the most successful supercomputers (8
units sold; approx. 38M USD/pc. in today’s money)
Frontier (HPE) (2021) - first exascale computer