4 ms·
It's funny as every country has their own computer founding myths with them in the center. "[...] became the first in the world to be sold commercially: the F
by ComputerInv 9y ago
It's funny as every country has their own computer founding myths with them in the center.
"[...] became the first in the world to be sold commercially: the Ferranti Mark I."
While Germany maintains that the first commercially sold general purpuse computer was a Zuse Z4.
Even the Wikipedia pages disagree in each language. I'm sure the French have their version of computer history.
- walshemj 9y agoNot quite sure that the Zuze counts other wise you could claim that colossus was "sold" to HMG by the GPO. I seriously doubt that in 44 there would be any non governmental buyers for computers in Germany.
- ComputerInv 9y agoNot that I want to get into a fight[1] ;-) the Ferranti was sold in 02/1951, the UNIVAC I was sold 03/1951 and the Zuse Z4 was sold 09/1950. Not sure the Colossus was a commercialy available computer everyone could buy in '44? The Z3 was "sold" in '43 to the GAC - but was not turing complete in '43. [1] My personal believe is it's those geniuses not countries that did the invention, it's often a team effort, people are standing on the shoulders of giants and it's always difficult to define "first" plus at the same time irrelevant.
- WillReplyfFood 9y agoWe should search the church chronicles. First is always the guy to swear the loudest.
- Juliate 9y agoAlmost :) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Micral https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Micral
- quadcore 9y agoThat's a micro-computer.
- zimbu668 9y agoDon't forget that the first electronic digital(though not programmable) computer was created at Iowa State University https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atanasoff%E2%80%93Berry_computer https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atanasoff%E2%80%93Berry_comput...
- romwell 9y agoIt's also important because Mauchly, the key engineer of ENIAC/Uwho worked on these, learned and discussed ABC design from Atanasoff himself, one time staying as a guest in Atanasoff's house (and without mentioning his work on computers).
- malkia 9y agoAs bulgarian, there is also the https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Vincent_Atanasoff https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Vincent_Atanasoff 's computer - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atanasoff%E2%80%93Berry_computer https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atanasoff%E2%80%93Berry_comput... as we joke in Bulgaria, even Jesus was Bulgarian... Columbus too :)
- estebank 9y agoArgentineans have similar sayings and attitudes. The one I find the most amusing is "God's omnipresent, but he serves his appointments in Buenos Aires."
- rdednl 9y agoWe italians have Olivetti.
- godelmachine 9y agoEgyptians would say Abacus is the first computer - which would be interesting because that's 2000 years old.