Post lab Questions 1.4

1. Who is often called the “Father of Computing” and when did he live?

• Query “father of computing”
• Query Charles Babbage and web pages about him.
• Found answer: Charles Babbage, 1791-1871. (http://ei.cs.vt.edu/~history/Babbage.html)

2. What was the “Analytical Engine”?

• Query “analytical engine”
• Query “history and description of analytical engine”
• Found answer: The “Analytical Engine” was the name of Charles Babbage’s computing machine, often referred to as the first computer. It virtually anticipated the aspects of present day computers. (http://www.fourmilab.ch/babbage/)

3. Was the Analytical Engine designed to run on electricity?

• Query “energy source for Analytical Engine”
• Query “analytical engine power source”
• Found answer: No, It was ran by steam. (http://www.worldwidewords.org/articles/engine.htm)

4. Who was Ada Lovelace, and how is she related to the “Father of Computing”?

• Query “Ada Lovelace, Babbage”
• Query “Ada Lovelace relation to Babbage”
• Found answer: Ada Lovelace was the lifelong friend of Charles Babbage, she helped him in developing the calculations for his Analytical Machine and was named a translator for his memoirs. (http://www.sdsc.edu/ScienceWomen/lovelace.html)

5. Who was Ada Lovelace’s father?

• Query “Ada Lovelace’s father”
• Key search for specific names
• Found Answer: Lord Byron (http://www.agnesscott.edu/lriddle/WOMEN/love.htm)

6. What computing “first” is Ada Lovelace known for?

• Query “What is Ada Lovelace known for?”
• Query “Ada Lovelace accomplishments”
• Found Answer: Ada Lovelace is known for writing the first computer program. (http://www.agnesscott.edu/lriddle/WOMEN/love.htm)

7. The ENIAC is often called the first general-purpose computer, though some question this distinction. In kilograms, how much did ENIAC weigh?

• Query “ENIAC”
• Query “ENIAC weight in kilograms”
• Found Answer: The ENIAC weighs 27215.544 kilograms. (http://encyclopedia.thefreedictionary.com/ENIAC)

8. What was ENIAC designed to be used for?

• Query “ENIAC”
• Narrow Query to “Usage for ENIAC”
• Answer : It was the original all-electronic computer designed to be turning - complete, capable of being reprogrammed. (http://encyclopedia.thefreedictionary.com/ENIAC)

9. In what year was the construction of the ENIAC completed?

• Query “ ENIAC contruction”
• Search for the year of construction.
• Answer: Final assembly was in 1945.

10. Some claim that other fully programmable, electronic computers were produced before ENIAC. Find at least one example, the year of its production, and who was responsible for its production.

• Query “ computers before ENIAC”
• Redefine query “ Colossus”
• Answer: The Colossus was developed by the Germans and was used to decode during WWII. (http://www.ieee-virtual-museum.org/exhibit/exhibit.php?id=159249&lid=1&seq=15)