👉 The earliest form of computing dates back to ancient times, when humans began using simple mechanical devices for calculations. One of the earliest known computing devices is the abacus, which was used in Mesopotamia around 2700 BC and later in China and other parts of Asia. The abacus was a handheld tool consisting of beads on rods, allowing users to perform arithmetic operations like addition and subtraction through physical manipulation. However, the concept of programmable computing truly began with Charles Babbage's Analytical Engine in the 19th century. Though never fully built during his lifetime, this mechanical general-purpose computer laid the groundwork for modern computing. It featured a central processing unit, memory, and input/output mechanisms, but it was the development of electronic computers in the mid-20th century, such as ENIAC, that marked the true dawn of modern computing. These machines used vacuum tubes and were capable of performing complex calculations at unprecedented speeds, setting the stage for the digital revolution that followed.
