Text 4 How the First Computer Was Developed

The first suggestion that a machine for mathematical computation could be built was made more than a hundred years ago by the mathematician Charles Babbage. We now realize that he understood clearly all the fundamental principles of modern computers.

Babbage was born in Devonshire, England, 1792. He did not receive a good education, but he taught himself mathematics so well that when he went to Cambridge, he found that he knew more algebra than his tutor.

At that time mathematics in Cambridge was still under the influence of Newton and was quite unaffected by the contemporary developments on the continent.

Charles Babbage was outstanding among his contemporaries because he insisted on the practical application of science and mathematics. For example, he wrote widely on the economic advantages of mass production and on the development of machine-tools.

In 1812 he was sitting in his room looking at a table of logarithms which he knew to be full of mistakes, when an idea occurred to him of computing all tabular functions by machinery. Babbage constructed a small working model which he demonstrated in 1822.

The Royal Society supported the project and Babbage was promised a subsidy.

In 1833 he began to think of building a machine which was in fact the first universal digital computer, as the expression is understood today.

Babbage devoted the rest of his life to an attempt to develop it. He had to finance all of the work himself and he was only able to finish part of the machine though he prepared thousands of detailed drawings from which it could be made.

Babbage wrote more than 80 books and papers, but he was misunderstood by his contemporaries and died a disappointed man in 1871.

He tried to solve by himself and with his own resources a series of problems which in the end required the united efforts of two generations of engineers.

After his death his son continued his work and built part of an arithmetic unit, which printed out its results directly on paper.

fundamental principles – основные принципы

tutor – преподаватель, репетитор

advantage – преимущество

tabular – табличный

digital - цифровой

drawing – чертеж

Ask 10 questions of different types to the text.

Text 5 From the History of Computer Development in Russia

As it is well known, Russian scientists made great contribution into the development of computers. Russian mathematician P. Chebyshev who lived in the 19th century was interested in calculators. Among many other mechanisms invented by him there was an arithmometer designed in 1876. It was one of the most unique calculating machines of the time. At the beginning of the 20th century Academic A. Krylov constructed a mechanical integrator for solving differential equations.

The first Soviet computer, a small-size computing machine (MESM) was tested in 1950 under Academician S. Lebedev. Next year it was put into operation. In a year MESM was followed by BESM, a large-size electronic computing machine, with 8000 operations per second.

Serial production of computers in the USSR has been started since 1953. That year U. Basilevsky headed the design and manufacture of computer STRELA. 1958 witnessed the production of M-20, computers of the first generation under the guidance of S. Lebedev. The first generation of electron tube computers was followed by the second generation of foto transistor computers, using magnetic logic elements.

Starting with 1964 semiconductor computers URAL, BESM-4 and M-220 were produced. Under Academitian Glushkov small-size computers MIR, MIR-2 and DNEPR were designed and tested at the Institute of Cybernetics.

In the late 60s together with other members of the Council of Mutual Economic Assistance the Soviet Union started on the program of Unified Computer System, the program concerned with the third generation of computers with high-speed performance and program compatibility.

contribution – вклад

differential equation [′kwe3(ə)n] – дифференциальное уравнение

serial production – серийное производство

to head – возглавлять

semiconductor computer – полупроводниковый компьютер

compatibility – совместимость

Choose the correct variant.

1. What was one of the first achievements in the sphere of calculating in Russia?

a) calculator; b) arithmometer; c) mechanical integrator.

2. When was the first Soviet computer put into operation?

   1. in 1950; b) in 1951; c) in 1952.

3. Who headed the serial production of computers in the USSR?

   1. A. Krylov; b) S. Lebedev; c) U. Basilevsky.

4. Which machine was the first in the development of the first generation computers?

   1. MESM; b) STRELA; c) M-20.

5. When did the production of the third generation computers begin?

a) late 60s; b) early 70s; c) late 70s.