Technology at Its Roots: The Evolution of the Computer

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Technology at Its Roots

Everyday we continue to invent new things to help technology march forward and evolve into something better. Computers need to be quicker, phones need more features, pictures need more clarity, and calls need to be clearer. No matter what the subject, if technology is involved, someone always desires to reinvent it and make it better. This idea is true when it comes to all forms of technology. We constantly want to improve our devices so they may fulfill our needs with more efficiency. However, where did it all start? What caused our rapid explosion of technology and our constant need to improve on the latest model? Simple, it all started with the computer.

The first computer was very primitive when compared to today's modern machines. This machine was called the Z1 and was invented by Konrad Zuse, a German civil engineer, in 1935. This computer was designed for the sole purpose of solving complex engineering calculations quickly (Karwatka 30). The Z1 computer was about the size of a four-foot cube and was entirely mechanical. It was made in Zuse's parents' kitchen using only pieces from Erector sets. Due to the low quality toy parts, the machine would jam frequently after only a few minutes of work (Karwatka 30). After the Z1, Zuse rebuilt the machine with better parts three times, but the desired function and mechanics of the device always remained the same.

Even though it was cheaply made, the Z1 computer was highly evolved in terms of how it operated. It read calculations from punched 35mm film that was fed through a program reader. After the data entered the device, it used a series of rods display the output based on the calculations (Karwatka 30). This series of rods, was actually the first us...

... middle of paper ...

...ture and that computers would be at the front of that charge. And so, countless people reinvented this primitive machine to what we know today, making every aspect of the computer simpler, faster, and smaller so that it can fit into today our everyday use.

Works Cited

Betts, Mitch. "GE's Appliance Park Still An IT Innovator." Computerworld 35.5 (2001): pg. 20. Academic Search Premier. Web. 24 Nov. 2011.

"Computing Goes Electronic." Computerworld 39.41 (2005): pg. 28. MasterFILE Premier. Web. 23 Nov. 2011.

Karwatka, Dennis. "Konrad Zuse--Computer Pioneer." Tech Directions57.5 (1997): pg. 30. MasterFILE Premier. Web. 23 Nov. 2011.

"Shiny Apple With Personal Computers." Time 114.19 (1979): 84. Academic Search Premier. Web. 24 Nov. 2011.

Sobel, Rachel K. "Faulty Memory." U.S. News & World Report 132.4 (2002): pg. 70. Academic Search Premier. Web. 24 Nov. 2011.

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