Z2 (computer)
The Z2 was an electromechanical (mechanical and relay-based) computer that was completed by Konrad Zuse in 1940.[1][2][3] It was an improvement on the Z1 Zuse built in his parents' home, which used the same mechanical memory. In the Z2, he replaced the arithmetic and control logic with 600 electrical relay circuits, weighing over 600 pounds.
The Z2 could read 64 words from punch cards. Photographs and plans for the Z2 were destroyed by the Allied bombing during World War II.[4] In contrast to the Z1, the Z2 used 16-bit fixed-point arithmetic instead of 22-bit floating point.
Zuse presented the Z2 in 1940 to members of the DVL[1][2][3] (today DLR) and member Prof. Alfred Teichmann, whose support helped fund the successor model Z3.[5]
Specifications[]
| Frequency | Ca. 5 Hertz |
| Arithmetic Unit | Fixed point arithmetic unit with 16 bit word length |
| Average calculation Speed | 0.8 sec for addition operation |
| Number of Relays | 600 |
| Memory | 64 words (same as Z1) |
| Power Consumption | 1000 watts |
| Weight | 300 kg (660 lb) |
See also[]
References[]
- ^ a b Weiss, E. (1996). Z1 and Z2. "Konrad Zuse Obituary". IEEE Annals of the History of Computing. 18 (2): 3. doi:10.1109/mahc.1996.489747. ISSN 1058-6180.
- ^ a b Williams, Michael Roy (1985). A history of computing technology. Also search the book for Luftfahrt - further part. Prentice-Hall. p. 219. ISBN 9780133899177.
- ^ a b De Mol, Liesbeth (2007). "Tracing Unsolvability. A Mathematical, Historical and Philosophical Analysis with a Special Focus on Tag Systems". Chapter 4.1.3 Zuse’s Z1, Z2, Z3, Z4 and Plankalkül. p. 212. Retrieved 2018-05-12.
- ^ Zuse, Horst. "Part 4: Konrad Zuse's Z1 and Z3 Computers". The Life and Work of Konrad Zuse. EPE Online. Archived from the original on 2008-06-01. Retrieved 2008-06-17.
- ^ Hans Dieter Hellige (Hrsg.): Geschichten der Informatik. Visionen, Paradigmen, Leitmotive. Berlin, Springer 2004, ISBN 3-540-00217-0. p. 115.
- ^ "Z2 Data Sheet". Retrieved 2015-02-09.
External links[]
- Z2 via Horst Zuse (son) web page
- The Zuse Computers (by Raúl Rojas) in RESURRECTION The Bulletin of the Computer Conservation Society ISSN 0958-7403 Number 37 Spring 2006
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- Electro-mechanical computers
- One-of-a-kind computers
- Mechanical computers
- Computer-related introductions in 1940
- Konrad Zuse
- German inventions of the Nazi period
- 1940s computers
- Computers designed in Germany
- Computer hardware stubs