A Hall of Computing for science enthusiasts with interactive models and computer kiosks has been opened at the Nehru Science Centre (NSC) here. The Hall of Computing Gallery traces the evolution of computers from abacus to binary codes and the digital age.
The Gallery tells the story of how the need to count gave rise to numbers and how the need to better it led to hi-tech computers and their phenomenal applications of the current century.
"It is meant for all age groups and even for those who do not know anything about computers," curator of NSC Umesh Kumar said. Several interactive mechanisms in the Computing Experience section include first numbers, Chinese Abacus, use of binary method, digital electronics and bullion algebra to make complex calculations.
One of the highlights of the Gallery is the Period Room which has replicas of some of the oldest input devices including first computers, Kumar said. It occupied an entire room and needed large amount of heat and electric energy to function, he said.
The cost of making this gallery was Rs 25 lakh and the NSC took almost one year to put the exhibits together, Kumar added.
Another exhibit 'Jacquard Loom' has a large textile loom and punch cards on display. The cards tell the story of Joseph Marie who invented punch card with holes and blocks to make designing easier. His basic invention later laid the foundation of computer programming.
The modern computer section of the gallery exhibits all modern gadgets and their applications including weather forecasts, barcode and Global Positioning System (GPS).
The interactive exhibit in this section has a robotic camera that can be operated from outside a glass case. A 'virtual makeup' exhibit is a great hit among youth where one can click pictures and add embellishments to it like hairstyle, jewellery and other make up.