Also known as Plankalkuel, Z-3, Z3 (computer), Zuse Z3
first working programmable, fully automatic digital computer
Key facts
- Also known as
- V3 (Versuchsmodell 3)
- Developer
- Konrad Zuse
- Type
- Programmable , fully automatic digital electromechanical computer
- Released
- May 12, 1941 ; 85 years ago ( 1941-05-12 )
- Lifespan
- 2 years
- Introductory price
- Costs: ca. 50,000 ℛ ︁ ℳ ︁
- Cpu
- 2,600 relays @ 5–10 Hz
- Memory
- 64 words with a length of 22 bits
- Removable storage
- Punched celluloid tape
- Display
- Row of lamps to show results
- Input
- Terminal, with a special keyboard for input
- Power
- Around 4,000 watts
- Weight
- Around 1 tonne (2,200 lb)
- Predecessor
- Z2
- Successor
- Z4
via Wikipedia infobox
Wikidata facts
- Image
- Z3 Deutsches Museum.JPG
Show 4 more facts
- publication date
- 1941-00-00
- clock frequency
- 5
- Commons category
- Zuse Z3
- inception
- 1941-00-00
Sources (1)
via Wikidata · CC0
~13 min read
Article
The Z3 was a German electromechanical computer designed by Konrad Zuse in 1938, and completed in 1941. It was the world's first working programmable, fully automatic digital computer. The Z3 was built with 2,600 relays, implementing a 22-bit word length that operated at a clock frequency of about 5–10 Hz. Program code was stored on punched film. Initial values were entered manually.
The Z3 was completed in Berlin in 1941. It was not considered vital, so it was never put into everyday operation. Based on the work of the German aerodynamics engineer Hans Georg Küssner (known for the Küssner effect), a "Program to Compute a Complex Matrix" was written and used to solve wing flutter problems. Zuse asked the German government for funding to replace the relays with fully electronic switches, but funding was denied during World War II since such development was deemed "not war-important".