Z2 (computer)

Z2
Drawing of the Zuse Z2
DeveloperKonrad Zuse
TypeElectromechanical (mechanical and relay-based) digital computer
Release date1940; 84 years ago (1940)
CPU600 electrical relay circuits @ ca. 5 Hz
Memory64 words
Removable storagePunch cards
Power1000 watts
Mass300 kg (660 lb)
PredecessorZ1
SuccessorZ3

The Z2 was an electromechanical (mechanical and relay-based) digital computer that was completed by Konrad Zuse in 1940.[1][2][3] It was an improvement on the Z1 Zuse built in his parents' home, which used the same mechanical memory. In the Z2, he replaced the arithmetic and control logic with 600 electrical relay circuits, weighing over 600 pounds.

The Z2 could read 64 words from punch cards. Photographs and plans for the Z2 were destroyed by the Allied bombing during World War II.[4] In contrast to the Z1, the Z2 used 16-bit fixed-point arithmetic instead of 22-bit floating point.

Zuse presented the Z2 in 1940 to members of the DVL[1][2][3] (today DLR) and member Alfred Teichmann [de], whose support helped fund the successor model Z3.[5]

  1. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference Weiss_1996 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference Williams_1985 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference DeMol_2007 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference Zuse_2000 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference Hellige_2004 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).