History of computing hardware: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 20:54, 15 November 2005

Revision as of 10:35, 16 November 2005

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==American developments==

In [[1937]], [[Claude Shannon]] produced his master's thesis at [[Massachusetts Institute of Technology|MIT]] that implemented [[Boolean algebra]] using electronic relays and switches for the first time in history. Entitled ''[[A Symbolic Analysis of Relay and Switching Circuits]]'', Shannon's thesis essentially founded practical [[digital circuit]] design.

In November of [[1937]], [[George Stibitz]], then working at [[Bell Labs]], completed a relay-based computer he dubbed the "Model K" (for "<b>k</b>itchen", where he had assembled it), which calculated using binary addition. Bell Labs thus authorized a full research program in late [[1938]] with Stibitz at the helm. Their [[Complex Number Calculator]], completed [[January 8]], [[1940]], was able to calculate [[complex numbers]]. In a demonstration to the [[American Mathematical Society]] conference at [[Dartmouth College]] on [[September 11]], [[1940]], Stibitz was able to send the Complex Number Calculator remote commands over telephone lines by a [[teletype]]. It was the first computing machine ever used remotely over a phone line. Some participants of the conference who witnessed the demonstration were [[John Von Neumann]], [[John Mauchly]], and [[Norbert Wiener]], who wrote about it in his memoirs.