The History of Computing: From Gears to Quantum AI

The History of Computing: From Gears to Quantum AI
Explore how computing evolved—from ancient machines to future technologies like AI and quantum computing.

By

Poll

Which do you think came first? The calculator or the computer?

• The calculator

• The computer

• First known analogue computer.

• Found in a Greek shipwreck.

• Predicted planetary positions using gears.

Antikythera Mechanism
(100 BCE)

Multiple Choice

True/False: The Antikythera Mechanism predicted the weather.

• True

• False

• Invented by John Napier.

• A tool using rods for multiplication.

• Introduced algorithmic thinking.

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Napier’s Bones (1617)

Fill in the Blanks

Napier’s Bones helped with

.

• Invented by Blaise Pascal.

• First mechanical calculator.

• Could add and subtract.

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Pascaline (1642)

Poll

Emoji Poll: Which MODERN device is closest to the Pascaline device?

• 📱 Phone

• 🖥 Computer

• 🧮 Calculator

• Used punch cards for weaving patterns.

• Showed programmable logic.

• Inspired early computers.

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Jacquard Loom (1804)

Multiple Choice

True or False:
The Jacquard Loom used punch cards to control weaving patterns, which introduced the concept of programmability.

• True

• False

• Designed by Charles Babbage.

• First idea of a general-purpose computer.

• Used punch cards for instructions.

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Babbage’s Analytical Engine (1837)

Multiple Choice

Who is called the “Father of Computing”?

• Turing

• Babbage

• Gates

• Alan Turing and the Bombe machine.

• Cracked Enigma codes in WWII.

• Basis for modern algorithms.

Turing & Bombe (1940s)

• First programmable digital computer.

• Used vacuum tubes.

• Processed binary data.

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Colossus (1943)

• Guided Apollo missions to the Moon.

• First use of integrated circuits.

• RAM: only 64 KB!

Apollo Guidance Computer (1969)

Multiple Choice

Guess the number:
How much RAM was on the Apollo?

• 64 KB

• 4 KB

• 1 MB

• Apple I: first personal computer sold as a kit.

• Microsoft created BASIC language.

• Start of PC revolution.

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Apple I & Microsoft (1976–1977)

Multiple Choice

Put these in order:

• Antikythera → Apple I → Colossus → Apollo CPU

• Apollo CPU → Apple I → Colossus → Antikythera

• Antikythera → Colossus → Apple I → Apollo CPU

• Apple I → Antikythera → Colossus → Apollo CPU

• Quantum computers use qubits.

• AI powers chatbots, robots, self-driving cars.

• Big leap beyond silicon chips.

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Quantum Computing & AI (Now & Future)

Poll

Which will change life more?

• 🔮 Quantum

• 🤖 AI