The Z3 computer was the world’s first programmable digital computer and was designed by the German engineer Konrad Zuse. Here are key details about the Z3 computer:

1. Development and Construction:
   • Konrad Zuse began work on the Z3 in 1935, and the construction was completed in 1941.
   • The Z3 was built in Germany during a time when the country was under the Nazi regime.
2. Architecture:
   • The Z3 was an electromechanical computer that used telephone switching equipment for its binary arithmetic operations.
   • It employed over 2,000 relays for its operations.
3. Programming:
   • The Z3 was programmed using punched tape, a method that involved creating a sequence of holes in a paper tape to represent instructions for the computer.
   • The programs written for the Z3 were stored on punched tapes, and the machine could be reprogrammed for different tasks.
4. Functionalities:
   • The Z3 could perform floating-point arithmetic and had limited memory capacity.
   • It was primarily designed for scientific and engineering calculations.
5. Limited Impact during its Time:
   • The Z3 had limited impact during its operational life due to the wartime conditions and the isolation of Zuse’s work from other developments in computing.
6. Destroyed during World War II:
   • The original Z3 was destroyed in 1944 during an air raid on Berlin.
   • Despite its destruction, the Z3’s design and Konrad Zuse’s contributions to computing are considered pioneering.
7. Significance:
   • The Z3 is recognized as the world’s first programmable digital computer, marking a significant milestone in the history of computing.
   • While it was not widely known or influential during its time, its importance became more apparent in the postwar era as the field of computing rapidly advanced.
8. Legacy:
   • Konrad Zuse continued his work on computing, eventually creating the Z4 computer, which was the world’s first commercial digital computer.
   • Zuse’s contributions to computing and his early developments with machines like the Z3 laid the foundation for future generations of computers.

The Z3 played a crucial role in demonstrating the feasibility of a programmable digital computer. Although its impact was limited during its operational period, its significance in the broader history of computing is well-recognized.