World first computer /Mark 1

■ Mark-1 Howard Aiken and the Harvard Computation Laboratory Howard Aiken, a physics professor at Harvard University, recognized the need for a machine that could automate calculations. In 1937, he proposed the idea of a large-scale calculating machine to the university. With the support of the US Navy, Aiken established the Harvard Computation Laboratory in 1942. Introduction The Mark 1 computer, also known as the Automatic Sequence Controlled Calculator (ASCC), was the first general-purpose electronic computer. Built in 1944 by a team led by Howard Aiken at Harvard University, it marked the beginning of the computer era. This massive machine was over 50 feet long, weighed over 5 tons, and used over 750,000 components to perform calculations and store data. Context and Background During World War II, there was a pressing need for faster and more accurate calculations to support military efforts. Existing methods, such as manual calculations and mechanical calcu...