A computer, by definition, is only the a microprocessor, it's immediate ROM, and it's RAM. Everything else, such as a monitor or keyboard is considered to be extraneous. This is because a monitor can be replaced by another output device and keyboard can be replaced by another input device.
History of Computers
Computers have always been a part of the human desire to find faster and better ways of doing things. A computer is a solution to performing math quickly and efficiently. Technically, an abacus is a computer as it designed to help a person perform mathematical computation.
Before the age of electronic computers much of the theory of how an electronic computer would work had already been figured out. For example, in the 19th Century, George Boole had already invented boolean algebra which forms the basics of how electronic logic gates function.
There were also a number of primitive non-electronic computers and prototypes developed. Charles Babbage created a primitive calculating machine. Herman Hollerith designed, created, and used a (now) simple calculating machine that used punch cards to calculate the results of the 1890 USA census.
The first electronic computer ENIAC was built in 1945 for the U.S. Army to help calculate ballistics tables. ENIAC was absolutely huge and it took up an entire room. In 1951, UNIVAC the first commercial computer was developed. UNIVAC had many improvements over ENIAC, however, it was still large enough to fill an entire room.
Related Pages
Short List of Computers
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