Module 1: Appreciation of the History of Computing

Vocabulary flashcards covering historical computing milestones, pioneers, user interaction evolution, and societal impacts.

Abacus

An ancient counting tool dating back to 2700 BCE, marking one of the earliest milestones in computing history.

Pascaline Calculator

A mechanical calculating device developed in 1642.

Analytical Engine

A mechanical computer designed in 1837 by Charles Babbage.

ENIAC

A 1945 computer that filled an entire room (~1,800 sq. ft.), weighed about 30 tons, ran ~5,000 operations per second, was operated by specialist teams, and cost several million dollars.

Charles Babbage

Designed the Analytical Engine and is regarded as the "father" of the mechanical computer.

Ada Lovelace

Wrote the first algorithm intended for a machine and is considered the first computer programmer.

Alan Turing

Developed the Turing Machine concept, laying the theoretical foundation of computer science.

John von Neumann

Introduced the stored-program architecture used in most modern computers.

Grace Hopper

Pioneered compiler technology and helped develop the COBOL programming language.

Punch Cards

An early user interaction method where instructions were fed manually via punched holes.

Command-Line

A user interaction interface using typed text commands to control the system.

Graphical UI

A user interaction interface featuring windows, icons, and a mouse-driven system.

Touchscreen

A user interaction method allowing direct, gesture-based interaction on-screen.

Voice & AI

A modern user interaction interface based on natural language and intelligent assistants.

Work & Industry (Impact)

A societal impact area where automation and digital tools boosted productivity and reshaped entire job markets.

Communication (Impact)

A societal impact area where the internet and mobile devices connect people instantly across the globe.

Education (Impact)

A societal impact area where digital learning platforms expanded access to knowledge and remote instruction.

Everyday Life (Impact)

A societal impact area where smart devices and apps support banking, health, shopping, and entertainment.

Modern Smartphone

A present-day computing device that fits in a pocket, weighs under 200 grams, performs billions of operations per second, costs a few hundred dollars, and is used by nearly anyone, anywhere.