Super Data Science: ML & AI Podcast with Jon Krohn 468: The History of Data
May 7, 2021
Explore the incredible history of data, starting from the origins of RNA over 4 billion years ago. Discover how ancient clay tokens evolved into punch cards, marking the dawn of data manipulation. Learn about the revolutionary advancements in data storage and processing, culminating in modern cloud technologies. This journey highlights the significance of data in shaping our understanding of information and technology.
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Data's Long History
- Data's history spans 4 billion years, starting with RNA storing genetic information.
- This predates algebra's 4,000-year history by a vast margin.
Conscious Data Manipulation
- Humans began consciously manipulating data around 7500 BCE with clay tokens in Mesopotamia.
- These tokens, representing commodities, evolved into the earliest writing systems.
Punch Cards in Computing
- Punch cards were used in mechanical looms from 1725, predating their use in computing.
- Charles Babbage proposed their use for processing numbers in the 19th century but wasn't built then.