Bill Gates first started to play
with computers at the age of 13. At that time, computers were large, awkward
machines. Operators were required to learn complex computer languages before
the machines could be used. Even then, a great deal of time and effort was
needed to perform the simplest functions. Before long, Gates was an expert at
working the school’s computer. Along with a group of older students, who had a
similar interest in the machine, he set about learning every computer language
and function there was. Eventually, in order to spend more time at the
computer, Gates agreed to help develop computerized class schedules for the
school. It was a project that would take all of his years in secondary school
to complete.