The History Behind the Word Computers

Today computers are everywhere, on your wrist, on your office table, in your car, in your house, in your TV, and even in our Mars Rover, there is somewhere computers exist. If it is any kind of technology then directly or indirectly there are somehow computers working behind it.

But have you ever asked yourself who invented the name computer, when it was first used, and by whom and where?

According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the first known use of the word “computer” was in 1613 in a book called The Yong Mans Gleanings by English writer Richard Braithwaite.

But more interestingly in this book, the word computer was not used for machines, but instead, it was used for Human-Computer. Human-computer means a person who carries out calculations more speedily than normal people. You can even say that they are really more powerful and speedy in maths than the average person. At that time women were mostly hired as human computers because they worked for less salary compared to males. According to Wikipedia By 1943, most human computers were women.

After the creation of early mechanical computers such as the Difference Engine and Analytical Engine in 1822, the word computer had a more familiar meaning “The Machine that can perform calculations”.

But with the invention of digital electronic computers such as ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator And Computer) in 1946. The word computers is used for its more modern meaning “The Digital programmable machine”.

So, guys, this was all about the little history of our favourite word the computers. I hope this will help you somehow.

Please let me know in the comments if I missed something or if you have any suggestions please feel free to mail me. Till then Keep Coding, Keep Loving.

Jai Hind, Vande Mataram 🇮🇳

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