How many computers have you owned?
It depends on what you call a computer.
Flag that thought with electronic, hand-held, or desktop, then your answer may differ.
But long before there were devices that required electricity, we had computers.
From AI: (I’ve added some clarifications and focus tools to the article.)
The word “computer” originates from the Latin word “computare,” meaning “to calculate” or “to count.” This term evolved through history, initially referring to a person who performed calculations manually or with the help of a mechanical device.
Early Usage:
- Human Computers:
- The term “computer” was first used in the 17th century to describe individuals, often mathematicians or clerks, who performed complex calculations for astronomy, navigation, finance, and other fields.
- These human computers were essential for tasks like predicting tides, creating engineering blueprints, and developing astronomical tables.
- Mechanical Computers:
- By the 19th century, the term began to include mechanical devices designed to aid computation, such as the difference engine and the analytical engine developed by Charles Babbage. These were precursors to modern computers.
Modern Usage:
- Electronic Computers:
- In the mid-20th century, with the invention of electronic computing machines such as the ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer), the term referred exclusively to machines capable of storing, processing, and calculating data automatically.
Thus, the word “computer” has shifted
from describing human calculators
to the advanced electronic machines we rely on today.
Why this thought?
Last night, due to an atmospheric river, we had a power outage.
Tonight is my last Wednesday night Bible Study for 2024. There were no computers, internet, or power, so I prepared old-school, the way we used to: Bible, pen, paper, and other study aids as I could find them.
There is no landline because our phone requires power, but we have an old rotary dial as a backup. Many places we call require a touch tone to reach specific caller locations.
I could check emails on my mobile phone because we finally got a cell tower accessible to our service. But there was not much else I could do.
Yes. My laptop devices had battery power, but most apps we use are found online, and most of my files are stored in the cloud. Accessing, downloading, and using these apps requires a lot of juice. Argh… no internet!
Fortunately, we are not experiencing a cold front, but we are thankful we installed a fireplace earlier in the year.
There was no running water—we are on a well that requires electricity. A camp stove is set up on the kitchen stove, and water we stored up before the storm is ready to make an old-fashioned pot of drip coffee.
Catch my drift… Old School Way of Living. Can you do it?
What would you do if everything modern went silent? Can you revert to Old School? Are you old enough to remember how we used to accept it as normal? Or do you only know the electronic world?
Thank you for reading.
Please share with others.
It helps me get my book written!
(Below, you may find other topics similar to this one. Please read on!)