Computers are complex calculators which use switches to count. Switches have only on and off positions, so off=0 and on=1. Using nothing but 0's and 1's (this is called "binary" counting), computers perform complex calculations.
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First Mechanical Computer
The first mechanical computer was invented in 1822 by Charles Babbage. Later, he would design a programmable version which used punch-hole cards. The first computer programmer was the Lady Ada Lovelace. These computers were not fully finished until the late 1800's.
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First Electronic Computer
While there were other electronic computers in the few years leading up to it, the first fully electronic, general-purpose, programmable computer was ENIAC in 1944. It used vacuum tubes as 0-1 switches.
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First Transistor Computer
The first computer which used new transistor technology as the 0-1 switches was built in 1953 by Manchester University. These computers could be much smaller and more powerful than the older vacuum tube computers.
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First Integrated Circuit (IC) Chip Computer
In 1958, engineers created the first very small IC chips, which had micro-transistors on a small semi-conducting chip. Later, in the 1960's and early 1970's, IC chips became complex enough that whole computer designs could be placed on them. These were called “microprocessors.” They went on sale commercially in 1971.
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First Personal Computer
In the mid-1970's, there was a boom in computer production. Many different computers were called the “first” personal computer. Although various kits were available since the early 1970's, the first complete, home-affordable personal computers hit the marketplace in 1977, with what is called the “1977 Trinity” of personal computers: the Apple II, the Commodore PET, and the Tandy TRS-80. All three came with a monitor, keyboard, and data storage.
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