Early computing refers to the initial development of devices and methods used for calculation and data processing. The first known computing device is the abacus, which dates back thousands of years. In the 19th century, Charles Babbage designed the Analytical Engine, a mechanical computer that introduced concepts like the stored program and sequential control. The 20th century saw the creation of electronic computers, starting with the ENIAC in 1945, which was one of the first general-purpose electronic digital computers. These early machines used vacuum tubes and were large and complex, paving the way for modern computing technology and the development of programming languages.