Early History
Internet Origins
Video & Ports
USB & Speeds
Internal Hardware
100

This ancient tool from 1378 BCE used beads to find solutions to math problems

Abacus

100

The year the first 2 computers connected at Stanford and UCLA

1969

100

This port transmits analog video signals from a computer to a monitor

VGA

100

The transfer speed of standard original USB.

12 Mb/s

100

Known as the 'brains' of the computer (e.g., i3, i5, i7, Ryzen).

CPU / Processor

200

Invented in 1959 for $32, used in Minuteman missiles

Microchip / Integrated Circuit

200

The first message attempted across the internet before it crashed.

'Login' (Only 'Lo' sent)

200

This digital video port directly replaced analog VGA.

DVI (Digital Visual Interface)

200

This color port on the back of a computer is traditionally used for audio out.

Green

200

The main circuit board that connects all internal components together.

Motherboard

300

Mechanical calculating device invented by Wilhelm Schickard in 1623.

Schickard Calculator

300

Hair-thin cables that use light to transmit data across the world.

Fiber Optic Cables

300

High-definition cable that transmits digital audio AND video, replacing DVI.

 HDMI

300

The transfer speed of blue USB 3 ports.

5 Gb/s

300

Temporary memory that dies and clears when the computer loses power.

RAM (Memory)

400

Manual calculating tool made popular in 1950 before pocket calculators

Slide Rule

400

Every internet device needs these 2 numeric address types.

IP Address & MAC Address

400

Dedicated port that transmits high-performance digital audio & video to displays.

DisplayPort

400

Modern oval USB standard capable of delivering up to 100 watts of power.

USB-C

400

Component that converts wall AC power into the DC power computer parts need.

Power Supply

500

First electronic desktop calculator in 1963 that cost $1,000.

Anita Calculator

500

The maximum data capacity single fiber optic cables can transmit per second.

43 Petabits per second

500

Old round purple and green ports. 

 formerly used for keyboards and mice. 

500

Transfer speed of red USB 3.1 ports

20 Gb/s

500

Rank these 3 storage types from slowest to fastest: SSD, HDD, M.2

HDD → SSD → M.2