Website
The Franklin Institute

Franklin Institute: The Case Files: Early History of Computing

For Students 9th - 10th
Computers are ubiquitous today. Step back in time and meet some of the early inventors of precursors to computers, and of the first computers.
Handout
Other

A Brief History of Computers and Networks

For Students 9th - 10th
Provides historical information on computers and networks, from the beginning of mechanical calculators in the 1640's to modern times.
Handout
Computer Hope

Computer Hope: Information About Computer Floppy Drives

For Students 9th - 10th
Informative site detailing the use of computer floppy dirves. Content includes a focus on floppy drive ABCs, floppy history, floppy cable, creating a floppy boot disk, floppy disk definitions, and coverage of 3.5 and 5 1/4 floppy diskettes.
Article
BBC

Bbc: Science & Nature Hot Topics Computer Viruses

For Students 9th - 10th
This BBC "hot topic" contains a description of the types of computer viruses. It also provides different ways to prevent or eliminate computer viruses.
Website
Smithsonian Institution

Smithsonian Education: Carbons to Computers: The Typewriter

For Students 9th - 10th
Created a little less than 150 years ago, the typewriter was the forerunner for the computer. This page offers a detailed history of the birth of the typewriter along with several visual examples.
Unit Plan
TED Talks

Ted: Ted Ed: A Brief History of Video Games (Part I)

For Students 9th - 10th
Video games are everywhere these days, but where did they actually come from? The history of video games is a complicated story that involves giant computers in science labs, the founder of Chuck E. Cheese and billions of dollars in...
Handout
University of Minnesota

University of Minnesota Charles Babbage Institute: Who Was Charles Babbage?

For Students 9th - 10th
This is a biographical note on Charles Babbage, computer pioneer, and includes a list of his published works.
Article
Harvard University

Harvard University: Howard Aiken: Makin' a Computer Wonder

For Students 9th - 10th
About Howard Aiken's mission to build the first programmable computer.
Handout
Computer History Museum

Computer History Museum: Charles Babbage

For Students 9th - 10th
Considered by some to be the "father of the computer", Charles Babbage was a 'gentleman scientist'. Learn interesting facts about his personal life and his career.
Primary
Other

The History of Programming Languages

For Students 9th - 10th
Brief history of programming languages is provided in this research paper at this site.
Handout
National High Magnetic Field Laboratory

Magnet Academy: Magnetic Core Memory 1949

For Students 9th - 10th
At the dawn of the computer age, magnetic core memory helped make data storage possible, and showed surprising staying power in a field where components are constantly being replaced by new and improved products.
Article
Great Idea Finder

The Great Idea Finder: Computer Mouse

For Students 9th - 10th
A short article about the computer mouse and the inventor, Douglas Engelbart.
Graphic
National Women’s History Museum

National Women's History Museum: The Women of Nasa

For Students 9th - 10th
Learn about the women who have played an essential role in the functions of NASA for almost a century.
Website
Other

The Apple Museum

For Students 9th - 10th
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...
Website
Virginia Tech

Virginia Tech: The Eniac

For Students 9th - 10th
This site has the description and history of the ENIAC, including its development and use in World War II.
Lesson Plan
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame: Sti Lesson 15: The Changing American Landscape

For Teachers 9th - 10th
The rise of American cities between 1865 and 1900 was spawned by the industrial revolution. Technological advancements in industry and transportation fathered the enormous growth of large cities across the United States. This led to the...
Article
History of Computing Science

History of Computing Science: P Cs Today

For Students 9th - 10th
The personal computer (PC) has become a common fixture in virtually every home, business and classroom. This lecture series describes the history of the personal computer.
Handout
University of St. Andrews (UK)

University of St. Andrews: St. Andrews: History of the Four Color Theorem

For Students 9th - 10th
The University of St. Andrews offers a brief history of the first math problem to be solved with computers.
Handout
History of Computing Science

History of Computing Science: Charles Babbage

For Students 9th - 10th
This is a brief biography of Charles Babbage, also known as the "Father of Computing".
Website
Smithsonian Institution

Smithsonian Education: Carbons to Computers Fax

For Students 9th - 10th
The Smithsonian Institution provides the lifeline of the fax machine and of its uses in the business world.
Article
Other

U. S. Army Research Laboratory: The Eniac Story

For Students 9th - 10th
This site provides a detailed history of ENIAC, the world's first digital computer developed by Army Ordnance to compute World War II ballistic firing tables. Includes specifics on how the computer performed its calculations.
Interactive
PBS

Pbs Learning Media: Technology Over Time

For Students 3rd - 8th
In this interactive activity adapted from A Science Odyssey, learn how technology in the home has changed through the years. Scroll through a timeline from 1900 to 2010 to explore technological innovations in the home (such as...
Handout
National High Magnetic Field Laboratory

Magnet Academy: Timeline of Electricity and Magnetism: 1940 1959

For Students 9th - 10th
Defense-related research leads to the computer, the world enters the atomic age and TV conquers America.
Handout
National High Magnetic Field Laboratory

Magnet Academy: Timeline of Electricity and Magnetism: 1960 1979

For Students 9th - 10th
Computers evolve into PCs, researchers discover one new subatomic particle after another and the space age gives our psyches and science a new context.