Human computers were people, not machines, who performed complex calculations and problems through approximation and repetition from the mid-1700s until the 1950s. During World War II, human computing reached its peak as scientists divided large problems between teams to solve. The advent of electronic computers then caused human computers to transition into pioneering computer programming as machines took over calculation work.
first video- https---youtu-be-m13Jrk-cUmosecond video- https---youtu-b.docx
1. first video: https://youtu.be/m13Jrk-cUmo
second video: https://youtu.be/eE69LKO4dCQ
Introduction
Before the 1950s, “computers― were human, they were not machines. The first human
computers appeared in the mid-1700s when people wanted to solve big, complex problems by
approximation and repetitive solutions, such as determine when Halley’s Comet would
return. Scientists realized that they could break complicated calculations apart so that a team
could work on them. Human computers also adopted Industrial Revolution methods such as
specialization, division of labor, and mass production. The field reached its peak during WWII.
As electronic computers took over calculation-intensive work, some human computers became
programming pioneers.
Answer questions on Human computers
Why are mathematical computations important to human progress? Give examples throughout
history and imagine technologies that can benefit from mathematical computations in the future.
What was the meaning of the word “computer― in the past and how is it different from the
current definition?
How did new manufacturing strategies in the Industrial Revolution transform human computing?
What effect did mainframe computers have on human computing?
