Something I did not know. The original inventor of the first computer, did you? If it were not for this individual, I and you would not be on a desk top computer participating in communications and exchanging information with people all over the world. Ed Roberts, who died Thursday at age 68, created the Altair, the computer that brought Microsoft Corp. founders Bill Gates and Paul Allen into desktop computing. His machine inspired a legion of hobbyists who became the foundation of a vibrant new industry. Anyway. Below is a link to the story about this visionary, who was just trying to make ends meet when he produced the first computer. RedSpider. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB100...80960424558.html?mod=WSJ_hpp_MIDDLETopStories
Actually he only made the first Personal Computer. Many went before him so he could do that. Read: http://www.computersciencelab.com/ComputerHistory/History.htm And: http://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch000984.htm
LOL, No Problem. I had to take a class on The History of Technology in College so when I saw your post, the abacus was the first thing that came to mind. I also worked on some MainFrames that dated back to the 60's when I was in college. I changed more Vacuum Tubes than I care to remember. I learned all kinds of interesting but useless info in college.
The first programmable electronic computers were known as 'Collosus' and were used during World War II in England to break enemy code. These were kept secret for many years, and as a result the first electronic computer is often credited to the Americans in 1946/7.