How would you describe a PC to someone 150 years ago?
This is really more of an intellectual challenge to all you answerers out there, since I've clearly got no time machine to test your answers with. :)
The challlenge: convey the power, flexibility, and mobility of the modern computer to someone say... pre-telephone era. (Yes, this isn't quite 150 years, but still).
2006-08-24 18:06:07 · 7 answers · asked by Alex 2 in Computers & Internet ➔ Other - Computers
The year is 1856, The Republican party has just been formed in Pittsburgh. James Buchanan has just been elected president. Edison will not invent the light bulb for 23 more years, and there is no reason for anyone to have electrical service, even it one has been offered.
Babbage's difference engine has been constructed after his death, and is the closest device on earth to what we know as a computer.
Anyone trying to explain a PC in that environment would be considerd a lunatic, particularly because the technology could not be easily demonstrated or replicated.
2006-08-24 18:25:42 · answer #1 · answered by Computer Guy 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A an arithometer* that makes use of fairly tiny mechanisms with easy components with a view to manage to performing many precise calculations on an analogous time as ultimate fairly small. that is can carry out such distinctive calculations at as quickly as that, like textile looms would produce a distinctive development with the help of putting a distinctive punch card, the person can press buttons to alter what suggestions is displayed. the simplest desktops could be used for arithmetic, and extra complicated desktops can incorporate finished books' somewhat worth of suggestions and demonstrate them at a 2nd's word through its tiny storage units which keep textual content textile and different suggestions mathematically. *An arithometer is a calculator that makes use of a mechanism as a replace of electronics; it may do addition, subtraction, branch and multiplication. It became into invented in 1851!
2016-12-17 16:51:18 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
To a person from 1856, I would use one word: magic.
2006-08-24 18:14:54 · answer #3 · answered by Y Answerer 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Imagine 50'000 secretaries all helping you at once. Now a machine does it.
2006-08-24 18:23:34 · answer #4 · answered by PommyTom 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
its like a black&white TV, but it also have key-board, like a typewriter, and it also have mouse, mouse is like a potato, but it also have a ball inside of it,
in that black&white TV you can view your pix and movies, and aslo you can type in it.
2006-08-24 18:38:37 · answer #5 · answered by Dr. Seb 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Everything you want to know at your fingertips.
2006-08-24 18:20:11 · answer #6 · answered by 314ra2 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you can't. that would be too hard. Besides they wouldn't believe it.
2006-08-24 18:14:14 · answer #7 · answered by funkyfresh 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋