Z1 Computer: The First Programmable Computer

Before the tubes, integrated circuits, ERMA and UNIVAC, there was the Z1 Computer. When you look at it, it differs so much from the computers that we know today. It was huge and you can hardly identify the components that come with it. But what made Z1 so special is that it was the first programmable computer that was invented.

It all started with Konrad Zuse. At that time, he was a construction engineer for an aircraft company. His work required him to do a number of computations. Although he can do them manually, he finds it troublesome to take note of all the equations and results in between. His engineering calculations are lengthy and there are several overlapping intermediate calculations to be done before he can arrive at the final result. He decided that he needed “help”, something that would help him remember the different results and the intermediate equations.

In 1935, Zuse started the design and subsequent construction of the mechanical calculator he had in mind. He figured that this calculator is in need of three things – a memory, a control and the calculator itself. The planning and design took most of his time that he decided to concentrate on this task and quit his job. His family funded the project and he worked on the device in their home.

A year later, the mechanical calculator was invented. It was named Z1 and became the first programmable computer. It uses Boolean logic and was programmable using punched tape and an accompanying reader. It uses binary floating point that makes it capable to perform arithmetic operations. The only downside of the device is that it is not that reliable during operations. The way it was constructed made it challenging to use. The user has to be careful so as not to destroy or misalign the mechanical parts.

Zuse went on to design and construct advanced models of the Z1 computer using electricity and increased memory.

WordStar: The Invention of Word Processors

Most of us are only familiar with Microsoft Office Word but like the rest of technological inventions, word processors underwent a series of developments. One of the first few word processors released into the market is WordStar. It was a huge hit when it was first introduced to the market but the subsequent invention of new and improved computers rendered WordStar obsolete.

It all started with Seymour Rubinstein deciding to put up his own software company. He used to work for IMS Associates Inc., a computer company that became famous for personal computing. Having had a firsthand experience in the business transactions and development of software, he decided to venture out on his own. He put up his own company, the MicroPro International Corporation, and began writing and designing programs. With a team of able programmers, they researched the possibilities of writing a word processor software. They looked into the reports released by various computer companies and began writing the various features and enhancements of the software. In less than a year, the WordStar software was launched into the market.

With his prior experience in the computer business, Rubinstein was able to come up with higly innovative sales and marketing efforts that skyrocketed WordStar’s sales. In only a span of eight months, the total sales reached almost 5,000. They entered into a deal with Osborne and engaged in numerous selling contracts with computer manufacturers. Within three years, WordStar became the dominant word processor in the market. Despite the entry of WordPerfect and Microsoft Office Word, WordStar remained the top selling word processor.

By 1985, WordStar slowly became pushed off the market in favor of other more compatible word processors. It was written for the CP/M operating system thus when it changed to MS-DOS, Rubinstein and his team had a hard time adapting to the new system. It didn’t help that IBM, whose computers were compatible with WordStar, began producing its own word processor. By the end of 1985, WordStar has been replaced by WordPerfect.

IBM PC: Their First Personal Computer

Around 1970s, the small computer market was booming. With the improvement and continuous development of computers, people began seeing its practicality and necessity to their business and everyday work. Many electronic companies jumped into this opportunity. Apple, Atari, Tandy Corporation and Hewlett-Packard all had come up with their own designs and computer models to take advantage of the increasing demand of the consumer public.

But what surprised many is that IBM, considered to be one of the largest computer companies out there, has not done anything about it. Unknown to many, IBM is merely waiting for the right opportunity to launch their own small computer. They’ve had products that became obsolete before the profits came rushing in. They do not wish to duplicate the same mistake. They are simply waiting it out. By 1980, IBM reportedly has a secret project, codenamed Project Chess, that will revolutionized the small computer industry.

This rumor is not unfounded. It turned out that IBM is, in fact, working on their own small computer model. They tapped the help of Microsoft to write an operating system that will accompany this new computer. IBM’s team of 12 engineers worked on the design and manufacture of the new computer. But the difference with IBM’s other computer models, this one was manufactured with the help of external manufacturing suppliers. They ruled out the possibility of building everything onsite. Most of the components were obtained elsewhere and it was only the assembly of parts that took place within IBM’s facility.

In 1981, IBM launched their new computer model named Personal Computer. It was a huge success! Priced only at $1,565 a unit, it comes complete with a keyboard and there are add-ons for printer, display, game adapter, applications and disk drives. Within four months, IBM was able to topple its competitors and grew to be the largest computer company in the world.

VisiCalc: The First Spreadsheet Software

One of the greatest inventions in the history of computers is the spreadsheet software. Imagine manually redoing every single computation whenever there is an error or when you want to add a variable to the formula. That would be too tedious, right? But before this wonderful software was born, people were doing just that. That is, until the VisiCalc software was created.

It all started at Harvard Business School. Dan Bricklin was attending one of his finance classes when he noticed that his professor was wasting his time rewriting the formula one by one. They were tackling financial models and various scenarios were presented. Whenever his professor wanted to add a new parameter, he has to rewrite the formula and make corresponding changes to the equation. This was done repeatedly that Bricklin decided that something must be done. He was certain that a computer will be able to do this same process through what he termed as an electronic spreadsheet.

In 1978, Bricklin began his software creation. Together with Bob Frankston, they worked on the project for only two months. They knew what they wanted to achieve. Having been involved with various timesharing systems at Interactive Data Corporation and Harvard, both knew how to go about it. They wanted a software that could run on personal computers, something that is not applicable to the current timesharing systems at that time.

Finally in 1979, VisiCalc software was launched in Apple computers. And it was a hit! People saw the potential and practicality of the software. Since it can only be run with Apple computers at first, sales for Apple II suddenly increased. People wanted the software at all costs. VisiCalc suddenly dominated the market. Despite the emergence of other competitors like SuperCalc, VisiCalc remained to be the top choice at that time.

It was only in the mid-1980s when Lotus 1-2-3 was launched that the demand for VisiCalc slowly waned out. But despite that, VisiCalc remains to be a huge game changer in the history of computers.