Early Computing

Front

What was the earliest recognized device for computing?

Back

The abacus.

Front

Where and when was the abacus invented?

Back

In Mesopotamia around 2500 BCE.

Front

On this abacus, with rows representing powers of ten, what number is shown?

Back

1,251

Front

Which device enabled sailors to calculate their latitude at sea?

Back

An astrolabe.

Front

The earliest documented use of the word “computer” is from a book written in the year ___

Back

1613

Front

In the early days, a "computer" was ___

Back

a person who did calculations

Front

The gear-based calculating device built by Gottfried Leibniz in 1694 was known as ___

Back

the step reckoner

Front

The step reckoner was so successful that it was used as a calculator design for ___

Back

the next three centuries

Front

Before the 20th century, most people experienced computing through ___

Back

precomputed tables

Front

Militaries were among the first to apply computing to complex problems, such as ___

Back

calculating range tables