Computers have become indispensable devices in our lives. Through internet connectivity, computers encompass the entire world within them. As one of the first devices to witness technological advancements, computers are constantly evolving and changing. The pace of this development is increasing rapidly, becoming truly awe-inspiring. From its invention to the present day, there are many intriguing facts about computers.
Charles Babbage developed a system based on the calculation logic of the abacus and successfully produced the first computer prototype in 1833. The first digital computer, ENIAC, was enormous in size and weighed approximately 30 tons.
Computer viruses have become the nightmares of computer users today, as the internet has become ubiquitous. The emergence of computer viruses dates back to the late 1940s.
To test the validity of this theory, Bob Thomas successfully created a program called “Creeper” in 1971. Creeper, unlike today’s viruses, did not pose significant threats. It simply displayed a simple message on the infected computer saying, “I’m Creeper, catch me if you can!”
During the early stages of computer usage, not all of the equipment and hardware we have today were available. The first mouse was designed at the Stanford Research Institute in 1964. It was invented by Norwegian-American engineer Douglas Engelbart and was made of wood. Moreover, it did not have the ability to move in all directions like modern mice. It could only move in a single direction.
Ada Lovelace is known for her work on Charles Babbage’s Analytical Engine, the first mechanical computer. The notes she took on the machine included the first algorithm that could be processed by a computer. As a result, she is considered the first computer programmer.
Today, we talk about terabytes when it comes to digital storage on hard disks. Most of us carry at least 32 GB flash drives with us.
The first hard disk in history was produced by IBM in 1956. It had a storage capacity of 5 MB and weighed approximately 1.5 tons.
The Apollo 11 mission also involved the use of computers.
The computer used in the Apollo 11 spacecraft had a memory of 64 KB and a processor speed of 0.043 MHz. Today, even automatic household appliances operate with more memory and processing power.
While discussing interesting facts about computers, have you ever heard of a computer running on water? Even before the invention of digital computers, Russian scientists were working on computer technology. In 1936, Vladimir Lukyanov invented a water-powered computer.
Further Reading About Computers
This computer was also the first to solve partial differential equations. Lukyanov’s goal was to find a machine that could solve these equations. Inside the computer, interconnected water-filled tubes were used. Variables were adjusted using stoppers and valves, and the solution to the equation was determined based on the water level.
Our hearts skip a beat when there is a problem with some of the components or hardware. Certain parts can completely halt the functioning of a computer when they fail. It is known that computer usage can cause eye dryness. Under normal conditions, a person blinks their eyes 12 to 18 times per minute.
Research shows that when using a computer, people blink less frequently. The blink rate decreases to one-third, resulting in only 4 to 6 blinks per minute. The reduction in blink rate negatively affects the moistening, oxygenation, and nourishment of the eyes. Prolonged computer use can lead to eye dryness.
Among the unknown facts about computers, did you know that the first webcam was invented out of a love for fresh coffee? In 1991, students from Cambridge University in the United Kingdom created the first webcam due to their passion for freshly brewed coffee.
There was only one coffee pot near the university’s Computer Laboratory, and it would run out of coffee soon after brewing due to excessive consumption by the students. To solve this problem, two students named Quentin Stafford-Fraser and Paul Jardetzky thought of focusing a camera on the coffee pot and connecting it to a computer.
The computer would continuously capture screen images from the camera. They later developed software that would run on their own group’s computers. Computers connected to the server could access the latest photo of the coffee pot. By creating a system accessible only to themselves, they solved the problem of running out of fresh coffee. Two years later, in 1993, when they connected the same camera to the internet and continued capturing images, it caught the attention of the world.
