History of Computers Test
History of Computers Test
Be sure to summarize what you read online – I will be checking your papers with my anti-plagiarism software. Use complete sentences and support your answers with examples. Check spelling and grammar! Read the Extended Response Writing Page for tips to write better.
1. Describe the Difference Engine created by Babbage. What did he hope to accomplish with his computers? What problems did he have in creating and building the computers? How were they similar to modern computers?
2. In what ways did WWII prompt the development of the computer? How did the British crack the German codes?
3. Describe the events that prompted the development of the computer. Be sure to include all the major world events that influenced the development of the computer and how those events changed the world.
4. How did the 1952 Presidential election contribute to the success of computers in business and industry? Use details and examples to support your answer.
5. IBM was reluctant to get into the computer business. Who ultimately got them into the computer business and what big change was made by customer request? How did that change help businesses?
6. How did computers affect the space race? Why was it important for the United States to be able to go into space?
7. Describe the early Apple II computer. How does it differ from contemporary computers? How was the first Macintosh computer different from the Apple computers?
8. At the end of the video it says “The earth would shrink with unprecedented speed”. Considering what you know about the development of computers and current computing habits, what do you think that statement means? Think about the 8 min video we saw in class (Shift Happens) in answering this question.
Video citation: Modern Marvels: the Creation of the Computer. Videocassette. History Channel a & E TV, 1995.
