Babbage, Charles
Published: August 18, 2006, 2:19 pm
Updated: August 18, 2006, 2:19 pm
This article has been reviewed by the following Topic Editor:
Tom Lawrence
Charles Babbage (1791-1871), a British scientist who introduced the concepts behind the present-day computer. In the 1820s, Babbage designed Calculating Engines and table-making Difference Engines; far more ambitious were his Analytical Engines, which he designed as a mechanical-digital computurs. These designs were flexible and powerful, punched card controlled general-purpose calculators, embodying many features that would later be incorporated into the modern stored-program computer. The machines were never built due to a lack of funds, but in 1991 British scientists, following Babbage's detailed drawings and specifications, constructed the Difference Engine. The machine worked flawlessly, calculating up to a precision of 31 digits, demonstrating the soundness of Babbage's design.
Further Reading
Charles Babbage (The Science Museum, UK)
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Citation
Cutler J. Cleveland (Lead Author);Tom Lawrence (Topic Editor) "Babbage, Charles". In: Encyclopedia of Earth. Eds. Cutler J. Cleveland (Washington, D.C.: Environmental Information Coalition, National Council for Science and the Environment). [First published in the Encyclopedia of Earth August 18, 2006; Last revised Date August 18, 2006; Retrieved May 22, 2013 <http://www.eoearth.org/article/Babbage,_Charles>
The Author
Cutler J. Cleveland is Professor of Earth and Environment at Boston University, where he also is on the faculty of the Center for Energy and Environmental Studies. Professor Cleveland is Editor-in-Chief of the Encyclopedia of Energy (Elsevier, 2004), winner of an American Library Association award, the Dictionary of Energy (Elsevier, 2005), Handbook of Energy (Elsevier, forthcoming), and is the Founding Editor-in-Chief of the Encyclopedia of Earth. He is the recipient of the Adelma ... (Full Bio)
Charles Babbage (1791-1871), a British scientist who introduced the concepts behind the present-day computer. In the 1820s, Babbage designed Calculating Engines and table-making Difference Engines; far more ambitious were his Analytical Engines, which he designed as a mechanical-digital computurs. These designs were flexible and powerful, punched card controlled general-purpose calculators, embodying many features that would later be incorporated into the modern stored-program computer. The machines were never built due to a lack of funds, but in 1991 British scientists, following Babbage's detailed drawings and specifications, constructed the Difference Engine. The machine worked flawlessly, calculating up to a precision of 31 digits, demonstrating the soundness of Babbage's design.
Further Reading
Charles Babbage (The Science Museum, UK)
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