Einschlafen mit Wikipedia · Wikipedia & Schønlein Media

Computer

·16 min·1 clip

The word 'computer' originally described human workers, mostly women, who performed calculations for astronomers and mathematicians.

The episode begins by exploring the etymology of 'computer', derived from the Latin 'computare' meaning 'to calculate'. Originally, it referred to human workers, often women, who performed repetitive calculations for fields like astronomy and ballistics. An early standalone use appears in a 1613 text by Richard Breathwaite, where 'computer' might denote an educated man or God. The term first appeared in The New York Times in 1892 in a U.S. Navy ad seeking someone skilled in algebra and astronomy. By 1946, 'computer' was applied to a machine with the development of the Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer at the University of Pennsylvania. The episode distinguishes between digital computers, which process discrete data like numbers, and analog computers, which handle continuous signals like voltage; digital types are now predominant. It details hardware components, including the von Neumann architecture's five parts: arithmetic-logic unit, control unit, bus, memory, and input/output. Software evolution is covered, from manual machine code entry to high-level programming languages and libraries that abstract complexity. Applications range from media design and administration to machine control and communication. Future perspectives include biocomputers, optical signal processing, and quantum computers. Artificial intelligence is highlighted as a significant trend, with mentions of Hans Moravec and Raymond Kurzweil estimating brain computational power. The episode notes the concept of technological singularity, where AI surpasses human intelligence. It concludes by stating that global web searches for 'computer' have declined since 2004, dropping to one-third of their original value by 2014.

Listen to the show on

Apple Podcasts Spotify

Play clips from this episode More from Einschlafen mit Wikipedia