History of computer: Mark 1

English mathematician Charles Babbage (1792-1871) is recognized as the first to conceptualize the computer. He worked to develop a mechanical computing machine called the ‘analytical engine’, which could perform all sorts of calculations and is considered the prototype of the digital computer.

In the US, a team of Harvard and IBM scientists led by Howard Hathaway Aiken were also working on a programmable computer. This computer, called Mark I, was completed in February 1944. It is the fully automatic calculator, very big and fancy.

Over five tons and fifty-one feet, the Mark I was huge in size and weight. The Mark I had a memory capacity of 72 numbers and it could be programmed to perform a 23-digit multiplication in the lightning-like time of 4 seconds. 

The first functional computer program was written by Grace Murray Hopper (1906-1992) an admiral of the US Navy. Hopper, a professor of mathematics at Vassar College had been ordered by the Navy to assist Howard Aiken with programming of Mark I.

The importance of Mark I is primary its role in making known to the world at large that a machine could successfully perform a programmed sequenced of operations and do so automatically without error.
History of computer: Mark 1

Computer programming –the history

Computer programming –the history
The earliest programmable machine (that is a machine whose behavior can be controlled by changes to a "program") was Al-Jazari's programmable humanoid robot in 1206. Al-Jazari's robot was originally a boat with four automatic musicians that floated on a lake to entertain guests at royal drinking parties.

In the 17 Century, the first calculating machines were invented by Wilhelm Schickard and Blaise Pascal (who created the "Pascaline" in 1642). These mechanical devices were remarkable creations but they could only perform specific calculations.

The Jacquard Loom, developed in 1801 invented by Joseph Marie Jacquard, is often quoted as a source of prior art. Herman Hollerith refined the machine and invented the Hollerith punched card, the card reader, and the key punch machine.

In 1946, Konrad Zues, a German engineer, develops the world’s first programming language Plankalkul, while hiding in the Bavarian Alps waiting for the war end. The language has even tables and data structures. The language is however buried in some German archive.

In the US, a team of Harvard and IBM scientists led by Howard Aiken were also working on a programmable computer. This computer, called Mark I, was completed in 1944. The person who is credited with fully harnessing the power of this programmable computer is Captain Grace Murray Hopper.


In 1954 IBM begins the development of FORTRAN based on A-O. The root of this language is still used with mathematic expressions. The invention of the Von Neumann architecture allowed computer programs to be stored in computer memory.

In 1975, Bill Gates and Paul Allen write a version of BASIC which they sell to MITS. MITS produces 8080-based Altair-microcomputers.
Computer programming –the history