Curated OER
Technology: Computer Basics
Students access a variety of resources on the Internet related to basic computer operations and parts. They examine the parts of a computer and the history of computers, view timelines, play games, and read tips on Internet safety.
Virginia Tech
Virginia Tech: Charles Babbage
Learn about Charles Babbage; computer pioneer, philosopher, politician, newtonian, industrialist who lived from 1791 to 1871.
Smithsonian Institution
Smithsonian Education: From Carbons to Computers, the Changing American Office
A site including lesson plans, photographs, and text about the offices of yesterday and those of today. Topics discussed include office equipment, office organization, globalization, and technology. Also included is an historical...
Other
Ibm Archives: Valuable Resources on Ibm's History
This site chronicles the history of International Business Machines including exhibits, documents, and multimedia.
Other
History of the Internet, Internet for Historians
This contains a description of earliest developments of the internet as well as recent innovations.
The Franklin Institute
Franklin Institute: The Case Files: Early History of Computing
Computers are ubiquitous today. Step back in time and meet some of the early inventors of precursors to computers, and of the first computers.
Computer History Museum
Computer History Museum: The Babbage Engine
Charles Babbage (1791-1871) was a computer pioneer who designed the first automatic computing engine. Trace the history of the many computers he designed and how they worked. View a video [1:39] of Difference Engine No.2, in operation.
Computer History Museum
Computer History Museum
This site includes a variety of exhibits, an artifact repository, special events and publications.
Other
Modern World History: Responses to the Industrial Revolution
This section of the text looks at how workers, owners, and the government responded differently to the negative effects of the Industrial Revolution. The Luddites rebelled against industrialization. Robert Owen, a wealthy socialist,...
History of Computing Science
History of Computing Science: Past Computer History
An in-depth lecture and PowerPoint slideshow on the history of computing can be found here. It gives an overview of the advances in science that made desktop computers possible, starting with the invention of counting, to the...
National Academy of Engineering
Greatest Achievements: Computers
Computers are one of the top 20 engineering innovations of the 20th century. Read the history behind this great invention.
Great Idea Finder
The Great Idea Finder: History of Computing
The Great Idea Finder offers a timeline of the history of computers. Each innovation and invention is also click-able for more information.
Texas Instruments
Texas Instruments: Computers Time Line
A time line of the history of computers beginning in 1642.
Wikimedia
Wikipedia: Altair 8800
This extensive encyclopedia article on the Altair 8800 from Wikipedia discusses how Ed Roberts came up with the idea to create a microcomputer design. Also discusses how, first, it was supposed to be a kit for hobbyists and turned into...
PBS
Pbs Triumph of the Nerds: A History of the Computer
This companion website for acclaimed PBS series "Triumph of the Nerds" explores the history of the computer, tracing the progression of computing technologies from the abacus to the World Wide Web.
Other
The Digi Barn Computer Museum
This site chronicles the innovations in computer technology including computer hardware, computer software and computer advertising.
Other
An Illustrated History of Computers Part 1
This site describes the history of computer innovations beginning with early mechanical devices to the electronic devices of the 20th century.
Other
The History of Computing Project
This site provides a the history of computing devices, software, computer companies and biographies.
Other
Ziring Micro Web: Dictionary of Programming Languages
A compendium of computer coding methods assembled to provide information and aid your appreciation for computer science history. The dictionary currently has over 120 entries which are searchable in various ways.
University of Minnesota
University of Minnesota Charles Babbage Institute: Who Was Charles Babbage?
This is a biographical note on Charles Babbage, computer pioneer, and includes a list of his published works.
Other
Vintage Calculators: Web Museum
Learn about the history of calculators, from the 1960's to the present. Includes images.
Other
Old Computers Rare, Vintage and Obsolete Computers
This site contains a listing of old computer hardware as well as old computer ads.
Other
The Apple Museum
The Apple Museum provides in depth information on the history of the Apple company and its products. Contributing to this information are articles written in reference to the company and/or its products. Code names, video clips, specs...