👉 Early computing refers to the foundational developments in technology and computer science that laid the groundwork for modern computers. This period began in the mid-19th century with Charles Babbage's conceptualization of the Analytical Engine, an early mechanical general-purpose computer. However, it wasn't until the mid-20th century that practical computing began to take shape with the invention of electronic computers, notably the ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer) in 1945. These machines used vacuum tubes and were primarily used for military and scientific calculations. The development of transistors in the late 1940s marked a significant advancement, leading to smaller, faster, and more reliable computers. This era also saw the advent of programming languages and the creation of the first stored-program computers, such as the EDVAC, which introduced the concept of storing both data and instructions in the same memory. These early innovations set the stage for the rapid evolution of computing technology that followed, transforming it from a niche tool into an integral part of daily life and industry.