20 Computer Facts You Probably Don’t Know

Computers are a critical part of our daily lives. In the last two decades, computers have 

revolutionized business, relationships, and shopping, and given rise to a whole new era 

of marketing and connection. By now, you probably know a computer is an incredible 

machine, but did you know just how amazing? Here’s a list of the top 20 computer facts

 you might not know:

1. The First Computer Weighed More Than 27 Tons

Her name was ENIAC, and she took up a modest 1800 square feet of space.

2. About 90% of the World’s Currency Only Exists on 

Computers

This means only about 10% of the global currency is actually cash.

3. The First Computer Mouse was Made of Wood

Doug Engelbart invented it in 1964.

4. About 70% of Virus Engineers Work for Organized 

Crime Syndicates

This gives new weight to the importance of anti-virus and anti-malware software, and 

  excellent virus removal services.

5. The First Known Computer Programmer was a

 Woman

Her name was Ada Lovelace, and she lived in England, where she worked as a 

 mathematician and writer. She is famous for working on the “Analytical Engine.”

6. Some of the Biggest Computer Brands Started in 

Garages

This is true for Apple, Microsoft, and HP.

7. People Blink Less When They Use Computers

While the average person blinks about 20 times a minute under normal circumstances, 

people on computers only blink about seven times a minute.

8. Hackers Write About 6,000 New Viruses Each Month

These viruses are designed to target a wide selection of operating systems, so learning to

 avoid viruses and malware is essential!

9. More Than 80% of Daily Emails in the U.S. are Spam

To keep your data safe, delete these emails immediately and don’t click any links or

 attachments they might contain.

10. MyDoom is the Most Expensive Computer Virus in 

      History

The virus cost an estimated $38.5 billion in damage and came about in January of 2006. 

Shortly after that, it earned a name for itself as the fastest-spreading virus ever.

11. The Parts for the Modern Computer Were First  

       Invented in 1833

    A man named Charles Babbage put them together, but the first modern computer came

     about 120 years later.

12. The First Gigabyte Drive Cost $40,000

It was released in 1980 and weighed 550 lbs. How’s that for a portable drive?

13. The Case of the First Macintosh Computer Includes 

   47 Signatures

On the inside of the device, Macintosh’s entire 1982 division signed the case.

14. The Worst U.S. Security Breach of All Time 

     Happened Because of a USB Stick

Someone found the stick (which a foreign intelligence agency infected) in a parking lot

 and plugged it into their computer. The computer had links to the U.S. Central Command. The attack happened in 2008 and resulted in the theft of thousands of classified and

 unclassified documents. The Pentagon spent about 14 months cleaning up the damage 

from the worm.

15. A Single Computer Catches 50% of all Wikipedia 

   Vandalism

This computer has a 90% accuracy rate.

16. Computers Sort 95% of Mail

The U.S. Postal Service still hires individual employees to sort through addresses that are

 too sloppy for computers to make sense of.

17. MIT Has Computers That can Detect Fake Smiles

These computers can tell between genuine smiles and frustrated smiles.

18. Computers Might Soon be Able to Tell What Dogs 

Think

These computers are under development by a Scandinavian company. A prototype is 

purported to be available.

19. Russia Engineered a Computer That Ran on Water

The computer was built in 1936 and was meant to solve partial differential equations.

20. Disney Fired John Lasseter for Pushing Computer

    Animation

   He’s now the CCO of Pixar.

Computer Facts Everyone Should Know

Computers have come a long way in recent decades, and these computer facts showcase

  all the weird, wild, and unbelievable aspects of that transformation