Many important aspects of life rely on computers. If all of the computers around the world went down for just a day, there would be chaos in the world. Banks would not be able to operate. All businesses that did not have a typewriter would not be able to create documents such as receipts, reports, memos, etc. In fact, some virtual employees would not be able to make it to work at all.

It is no surprise that computers have become relied upon for many aspects of business and personal life. However, it would be surprising to the individuals who lived just a century ago. Even the individuals who lent a hand in inventing computers by developing similar technology would not be able to believe the capabilities that are now the basics of every computer.

How did we invent such a technological marvel? Computers are actually the result of a long evolutionary chain starting with the abacus. Yes, computers actually descended from these primitive adding machines. These ancient mathematical calculators were simple wooden instruments capable of calculating mathematical problems based on programming rules.

From this abacus came the calculator and then the computer. However, there were many discoveries along the way. Before computers could be invented there had to be a need for them. When Charles Babbage first envisioned a digital computer based on his notion that mathematical problems could be solved by equations, he was doomed to fail. There simply did not exist the technology or need for this type of machine.

However, between 1850 and 1900 this fact would change with the conclusion that mathematical problems could be solved by certain differential equations. This means that Babbage had the right idea; it was just the wrong time. Many strides were made in this area of technology, but it was World War II that eventually fueled the need for expertise for a electronic digital computer. In 1942, the Electrical Numerical Integrator and Calculator took its place as the first computer.

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