Z2
Konrad Zuse had bad luck with his original Z1. The Z1 did contain all components of a modern day computer, however, the Z1 was not reliable. Its mechanical construction was too complex and error prone. Therefore, Konrad Zuse decided to construct the Z2. He wanted to find out whether the use of relays yielded better results.
A Numeric unit (no picture available) with 600 relays did work well. The Z2 was complete in 1939.
The airthmetic unit consisted of a word length of 16 bit and fixed point arithmetic was used.
Konrad Zuse now decided to build the Z3, a computer completely built with relays. It later became to be known as the first fully functional programmable computer.
Links
Z1 (German)
Goto the Z3...
Name of Machine
Z2 (1939)
Implementation
Relays and the mechanical memory of the Z1.
Frequency
Ca. 5 Hertz
Arithmetic Unit
Fixed point arithmetic unit with a word length of 16 bit.
Average calculation Speed
0.8 sec for an addition
Input
Defimal numbers.
Output
Decimal numbers.
Word Length
16 bits.
Elements
Ca. 200 relays.
Memory
Memory of the Z1 (64 words).
Power Consumption
1000 Watt
Ca. 300 kg
Area of Application
Prototyp for the relay technique.
Sold
No
Costs
Unknown.
Links
Zuse-Computer (English)
Zuse-Computer (German)
Konrad Zuses Work on a DVD
Comments
Test for the reliability of the relay technique.
| Zuse-Apparatebau |
| Zuse 1936-1949 |
| Zuse KG (1949-1964) |
| Zuse KG - Computer |
| Z1 |
| Z1- Metal Sheets |
| Z2 |
| Z3 |
| Z4 |
| S1 |
| Z5 |
| Z11 |
| Z22 |
| Z23 |
| Z31 |
| Z64 |
| Z25 |