👉 French computing, or "informatique française," emerged prominently in the mid-20th century, characterized by significant contributions from French scientists and engineers. Key figures like Jean Moulin, Maurice Wilkins, and Claude Shannon (though Swiss, his work influenced French researchers) laid foundational theories in computer science. France developed early computing machines such as the ENIAC-like "Electronic Automatic Computer" (ENAC) in 1958 at the University of Paris-Sud, and the "Centaur" supercomputer in the 1970s. The French also pioneered time-sharing systems and early operating systems, notably contributing to the development of the Unix-like system. Despite facing challenges in funding and international collaboration during the Cold War, French computing excelled in areas like artificial intelligence, robotics, and software engineering, producing influential figures such as Jean Carpentier (founder of the INRIA research institute) and contributing to global advancements in computing theory and practice.
