Zuse and the Z Computers

There are slides devoted to this topic: Lecture 6b, pp. 3-26.

Websites

Read the “Konrad Zuse” page from the Computer History Museum site. The page briefly discusses Zuse and his contributions to computer science and also provides several photographs of Zuse building the Zuse 1. The “Zuse KG” page provides information on Zuse’s post-war computing activities and successes. Visit the “Digital Computers” page for a look at one of Zuse’s early logic gates.

For a more thorough biographical article, check out the “Biography of Konrad Zuse (1910-1995)” on the History of Computers website. To learn more about Zuse’s machines, turn to “Konrad Zuse- the first relay computer,” which provides an extensive look at the Zuse machines 1-4 and Plankalkul, Zuse’s computing language.

If you want to get a more intimate perspective on Zuse’s life, read his son Horst Zuse’s article, “The Life and Work of Konrad Zuse.” The piece spans from Zuse’s early life to his death and lasting contributions, and provides a (somewhat) more personal view of Zuse. It includes many photographs of Zuse’s plans, machines, and paintings.

Videos

Watch a video of Konrad Zuse lecturing on the development of the Z3, courtesy of the Computer History Museum.

Books

The Universal History of Computing, Georges Ifrah, pp. 206