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It depends on how you define computer. If you include primitive calculating devices you can go all the way back to the abacus developed by the Chinese. But assuming you mean the modern computing era of computers began with Charles Babbage's "Difference Engine" in 1822, a mechanical calculator powered by steam engine. Babbage is often called the "Father of Modern Computers".

The first electromechanical computer that could tabulate, compile and record data was the Hollerith's Electric Tabulating Machine in 1890, by Herman Hollerith.

There were a few other electromechanical devices until the ENIAC by Mauchly and Eckart. ENIAC is the computer that is often called the First Generation Computer in computer science text books. It was developed from 1943 to 1945. It was the first general purpose computer (not just a calculator).

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16y ago

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