Charles Babbage Annotations¶
URL: https://cse.umn.edu/cbi/who-was-charles-babbage
- He was recognized for creating revolutionary calculating engines.
The calculating engines of English mathematician Charles Babbage (1791-1871) are among the most celebrated icons in the prehistory of computing.1
Babbage is sometimes referred to as "father of computing."1
Babbage first acquired the interest in calculating machinery that became his consuming passion for the remainder of his life.1
- This is the beginning of a calculator. Babbage wondered if a machine could be used to do calculations rather than a human. As the telegraph grew, he could see the use of electricity in his machines.
In 1821 Babbage invented the Difference Engine to compile mathematical tables. On completing it in 1832, he conceived the idea of a better machine that could perform not just one mathematical task but any kind of calculation.1
- This is considered the 'first computer'.
This was the Analytical Engine (1856), which was intended as a general symbol manipulator, and had some of the characteristics of today’s computers.1
- He was unable to fully construct his idea of the 'first computer' and we wouldnt see another device like it until the 1900s.
Despite his many achievements, the failure to construct his calculating machines, and in particular the failure of the government to support his work1
Babbage designed the Difference Engine No.2 to solve equations and print the results in the form of mathematical tables.1