Talk:Timeline of computing hardware before 1950

Non-hardware

There are some items in the list that, while very important, are not hardware. Bubba73 ^{You talkin' to me?} 03:07, 12 December 2021 (UTC)

I suggest spliting this page to "Timeline of computer science before 1950", moving all the conceptual stuff (which is indeed important) to there. What remains here should be just anything related to a physical object or mechanism, even if possibly never implemented. Nngnna (talk) 14:55, 13 January 2024 (UTC)

Memory aids are not computers

Memory aids such as abaci, tally sticks, chalkboards, and paper are not capable of computation and therefore not computing hardware. — Sean Brunnock (talk) 10:49, 18 March 2024 (UTC)

Physical memory is computing hardware. Tally sticks and abaci are not inherently different than RAM. Both store a certain amount of digital information. The difference is that ones are designed to interface with a Human processor, and the other with an electronic one. This is not a history only of complete integrated computers. But of computing hardware.--Nngnna (talk) 12:49, 22 March 2024 (UTC)

Physical memory is not computing hardware. They can't compute anything. Look at the timeline. There are no entries for hardware such as capacitors or magnetic tape. Because they can't compute anything. — Sean Brunnock (talk) 13:25, 22 March 2024 (UTC)

Both the name and the previous content of the article indicate it's about computing hardware, not about computers. Memory is computing hardware. It's essential for any serious computing. In the case of human computers, the human themselves aren't hardware. So only the parts that aren't human warrent mentioning on this article.--Nngnna (talk) 09:47, 1 May 2024 (UTC)

May I suggest Wikipedia:Dispute resolution? — Sean Brunnock (talk) 11:48, 1 May 2024 (UTC)

Algorithms are not computers

Algorithms and mathematical concepts or techniques are not hardware. — Sean Brunnock (talk) 10:53, 18 March 2024 (UTC)

Defination of Computing

computation involves calculation. How is this defined in the article? Many devices listed such as clocks, automaton, and gears many not fit into this definition. SKAG123 (talk) 04:46, 19 July 2024 (UTC)

History of computing hardware and History of computing appear to be even more liberal in what constitutes a computer. I'm not sure which devices you're concerned about. The 2 oldest devices are the Antikythera mechanism and the South-pointing chariot. Both devices are analog computers which used differential gears to perform computations. Computation doesn't necessarily involve calculation. Sean Brunnock (talk) 13:35, 19 July 2024 (UTC)

Pre-computing?

A device that computes a direction is a type of computer. Why put it in a new section called pre-computing? — Sean Brunnock (talk) 12:59, 10 June 2025 (UTC)