Chapter 1. Development of the PC
Computer History: Before Personal Computers
Many discoveries and inventions have directly and indirectly contributed to the development of the PC and other personal computers as we know them today. Examining a few important developmental landmarks can help bring the entire picture into focus.
Timeline
The following is a timeline of significant events in computer history. It is not meant to be complete, just a representation of some of the major landmarks in computer development:
1617 John Napier creates “Napier’s Bones,” wooden or ivory rods used for calculating.
1642 Blaise Pascal introduces the Pascaline digital adding machine.
1822 Charles Babbage introduces the Difference Engine and later the Analytical ...
Get Upgrading and Repairing PCs, 20th Edition now with the O’Reilly learning platform.
O’Reilly members experience books, live events, courses curated by job role, and more from O’Reilly and nearly 200 top publishers.
