History of Computing, Cryptography, and Robotic Devices

Introduction to the history of many diverse devices invented for computation, cryptography, and robotics. These technologies include a wide variety of ingenious devices, including purely mechanical devices, hybrid devices, as well as purely electrical devices. The history includes many fascinating inventors including Babbage and Turing. This history begins in the Greek period and spans many historical periods, to the modern times. By use of models and simulators, students will learn the basics of the operation and programming of various historical mechanical computers, robots and cryptographic devices. Students will do projects on historical devices and/or device inventors.