Computers have become an essential part of our daily lives, but how much do you really know about them? From their humble beginnings to mind-blowing advancements, here are ten fun facts about computers that might surprise you!
1. The First Computer Was Huge and Weighed Over 27 Tons
The ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer), built in 1945, was the world’s first general-purpose computer. It took up 1,800 square feet of space and weighed a staggering 27 tons. Today, your smartphone is millions of times more powerful than this massive machine!
2. The First Computer Mouse Was Made of Wood
In 1964, Douglas Engelbart invented the first computer mouse, and it wasn’t the sleek plastic design we know today. It was a small wooden box with wheels on the bottom, used to control on-screen movement. Imagine using that for gaming!
3. The Word "Bug" in Computing Came From a Real Insect
The term "computer bug" originated in 1947 when engineers working on the Harvard Mark II computer found a moth trapped inside the machine, causing a malfunction. They removed the moth and taped it into the logbook, calling it the first recorded "debugging" incident.
4. The First 1GB Hard Drive Was the Size of a Fridge
In 1980, IBM introduced the first-ever 1GB hard drive, and it was massive! Weighing over 500 pounds and costing around $40,000, it could store less data than a modern USB flash drive. Today, you can carry terabytes of data in your pocket!
5. The World's First Website Is Still Online
The first-ever website, created by Tim Berners-Lee in 1991, is still accessible today. It was a simple page explaining how the World Wide Web worked. You can check it out at info.cern.ch!
6. Computers Can Perform Trillions of Calculations Per Second
Modern supercomputers are capable of processing over a quintillion (that’s a billion billion!) calculations per second. The fastest computer in the world, Frontier, can perform over 1.1 exaflops, which is more than a million times faster than a standard home PC.
7. The QWERTY Keyboard Was Designed to Slow You Down
Surprisingly, the QWERTY layout was created to prevent typewriters from jamming by slowing down typing speed. Even though we no longer use typewriters, the layout stuck, and now we use it on all modern keyboards!
8. The First-Ever Computer Virus Was Created in 1986
The first known computer virus, called "Brain," was created by two brothers from Pakistan. It was originally designed to prevent illegal copying of software, but it unintentionally spread worldwide, marking the beginning of the cybersecurity era.
9. More Than 90% of the World’s Currency Exists Only in Computers
Most of the money circulating today doesn’t physically exist! More than 90% of global currency is stored digitally, with only a small percentage available in actual cash. This highlights how dependent we’ve become on computer systems for financial transactions.
10. Computer Repair Skills Are More Important Than Ever
As computers continue to advance, they also become more complex. Whether it's a slow laptop, a malfunctioning hard drive, or a software crash, professional computer repair services are in high demand. With technology playing a vital role in everyday life, keeping your devices in top shape has never been more essential!
