How do computers work?

[javasaurus]

Naive question, no?

Seriously, if I'm curious about the on-the-chip workings of a computer, I'm not sure where to even begin finding information. Or even simpler, if I wanted to understand how pre-microprocessor computers worked, where would I even begin? Maybe a kid's electronics kit? "build your own calculator" or something?

Comments

[acroyear70.livejournal.com]

(note: my "pulse" model was considerably simplified - most memory operations can take between 8 and 20 pulses to complete, most of it being address resolution. the system has to have "stuff to do" while waiting for memory to change. registers are high-speed memory that changes more quickly because they use smaller address spaces to access; most are built into the main CPU).