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Who Invented The Computer The definition of a computer is literally an electronic machine that stores and processes data. In today's modern world with the innovation of the Internet, the computer is used to buy clothes, furniture, homes and even find love. There are those that remember when there were computers that were as big as rooms and needed a number of people to operate them. But to whom does society owe the gratitude for inventing a machine that has had so much impact on the world? Just who invented the computer? In truth, there are many contenders, but the important events surrounding who invented the computer technology, is deeply immersed in the confusion and political minefield that is known as the Second World War. |
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When attempting to define who invented the computer, there are a number of individuals that need to be considered. First, in the 1840's Charles Babbage, an inventor and mathematician, had created his Analytical Engine: a huge machine that stored mathematical programs on cards. Babbage’s machine was powered by mechanical cogs and wheels so essentially, it was a huge piece of machinery doing math. Then in the early 1940's a huge calculator named the ENIAC was the brainchild of J Prespert Eckhert and John W Mauchley in America. The Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer used electromagnetic rays and data pulses to make calculations. In addition to this, Dr. John Von Neumann was developing his own ideas about the possibility of a machine being able to do what the ENIAC could do, but on a much smaller scale. This development was to be named the Electronic Computer within the Ordinance Corps – the EDVAC.
A machine called the Colossus was used by the British in the Second World War and was pioneered by a doctor called Alan Turing. This machine managed to infiltrate the Germans in one of the Wars major battles. In 1943, Bletchley Park was the setting for what was to become one of the most legendary spy stories of the era. The Colossus was a code breaking machine that could read German ciphers and break down Hitler’s messages to his troops and it did this by comprising math and logical theory to store data as a modifiable program. It must be emphasized that at the time of the war and for a long time after, there was no knowledge of this machine and its effect on the war but the way in which it operated would certainly have an impact on how computers would work in the late 20th Century. |
In Germany, several other individuals had a part in who invented the computer. For instance, Konrad Zuse employed the use of mechanical calculators and in doing so formulated the first programming language. His ideas were very close to those of Turing because both their efforts were being used under the shadow of a world at war. Nevertheless, the main difference between the work of Zuse and the work of Turing would be that Turing’s innovative work would have a huge impact on the war and Zuse would not be allowed to progress with his work; the German government refused to let him help with code breaking machines. |
Finally, in America, Professor John Vincent Atanasoff tried to patent an idea for inventing the first electronic computer in 1941. This machine solved long and difficult mathematical equations. This machine had similarities to the ENIAC and Mauchley would help Atanasoff with his discovery. This relationship would become unstable as it would eventually manifest itself as a huge legal battle between Atanasoff and Eckhert and Mauchley, as to who could lay claim to creating a machine that employed the use of electronics to store information. To this day the claim has not been settled.
In conclusion, the invention of the computer would appear to lie at the hands of Alan Turing because he managed to incorporate the concept of a computer that stores modifiable programs. Nevertheless, it is imperative that in considering who invented the computer that we give due credit to everyone that took part in the evolution of computer technology.
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