It was also the first machine to calculate using the decimal point system. For calculating, this instrument used 9 separate ivory strips (bones) marked with numerals to multiply and divide. John Napier devised Napier’s Bones, a manually operated calculating apparatus. The abacus operator moves the beads according to certain guidelines to complete arithmetic computations. It’s a wooden rack with metal rods with beads attached to them. Let us look at a few of the early-age computing devices used by mankind.Ībacus was invented by the Chinese around 4000 years ago. More computing devices were produced as technology advanced and the human intellect improved over time. People used sticks, stones, and bones as counting tools before computers were invented. A computer is an electronic machine that collects information, stores it, processes it according to user instructions, and then returns the result.Ī computer is a programmable electronic device that performs arithmetic and logical operations automatically using a set of instructions provided by the user.
