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Mechanical & Early Computing

Zuse Z3

A German electromechanical computer designed by Konrad Zuse in 1938 and completed in Berlin in 1941.

Konrad Zuse designed the Z3 in 1938 and finished it in Berlin in 1941. It used 2,600 relays and a 22-bit word length. Its clock ran at about 5 to 10 hertz.

Zuse asked the German government to fund a version with electronic switches. The government refused, because it judged the work not important to the war. An Allied bombing raid destroyed the original on 21 December 1943.

Why it matters

Researchers showed in 1998 that the Z3 was, in principle, Turing-complete. Zuse is often called an inventor of the computer.

Key facts

  • Designed in 1938, completed in Berlin in 1941.
  • Built from 2,600 relays.
  • 22-bit word length.
  • Original destroyed on 21 December 1943.
  • Zuse KG built a working replica in 1961.

Sources

  1. Wikipedia, "Z3 (computer)", en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Z3_(computer), accessed October 14, 2026.
  2. Wikipedia, "Konrad Zuse", en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Konrad_Zuse, background reading, accessed October 14, 2026.