History of Computers

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History of Computers
Charles Babbage The Father of Computing (1791-18
71)
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Introduction
You're sitting at the computer putting the
finishing touches on a report that is due
tomorrow. Lightning crackles through the sky and
... Oh, no! All the work you did is gone! You
have forgotten to save your report, and your
machine just shut down. Computers! Who invented
these things anyway? What for? They never work.
They are always locking up, shutting down, losing
files. Life sure would be easier without them.
Or, would it?
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Task

• Your task is to discover how computers evolved
  over time and the pioneers responsible for
  developing them by
• accessing specific web sites to gather
  information
• using a virtual abacus
• creating and demonstrating the use of Napier's
  Bones
• creating a timeline of the inventions
  contributing to the development of the computer
• creating a PowerPoint presentation recognizing
  the pioneers of computers

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Accessing the Web
Click on the icon above to print the Scavenger
Hunt worksheet. You will need to access the web
sites "History of the Abacus" and "The Abacus
an Introduction" to answer the questions on the
sheet. Hand in the worksheet when completed.
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The Race
Pair up with the partners your teacher has
assigned and complete the math problems. Click
on the icon at the left to print the Race
worksheet. Be sure your and your partner's name
appear on the sheet. You and your partners will
race against each other. One will use the abacus
and the other will use the electronic calculator
located on your computer. The third partner will
be the timer. Place a checkmark next to the
device which solved the problems the fastest.
Once you have completed all of the problems,
switch devices and solve a second time. Click the
abacus graphic at the right to access the virtual
abacus. Be prepared to answer the following Was
the same device always the fastest? Why or why
not? Hand in the worksheet when completed.
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Napiers Bones
Now create your own set of Napier's  Bones
. Click on the graphic at the left  to print the
template and directions to complete this
activity. Race against your partners and
discover which device is faster, the arithmetic
machine or the bones.