Charles Babbage (nonfiction): Difference between revisions
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[[File:Charles Babbage by Antoine Claudet c1847-51.jpg|thumb|Daguerreotype of Charles Babbage (circa 1847-1851).]]'''Charles Babbage FRS''' (/ˈbæbɪdʒ/; 26 December 1791 –18 October 1871) was an English [[polymath (nonfiction)|polymath]]. | [[File:Charles Babbage by Antoine Claudet c1847-51.jpg|250px|thumb|Daguerreotype of Charles Babbage (circa 1847-1851).]]'''Charles Babbage FRS''' (/ˈbæbɪdʒ/; 26 December 1791 –18 October 1871) was an English [[polymath (nonfiction)|polymath]]. | ||
A [[mathematician (nonfiction)]], philosopher, inventor and mechanical engineer, Babbage is best remembered for originating the concept of a programmable computer. | A [[mathematician (nonfiction)]], philosopher, inventor and mechanical engineer, Babbage is best remembered for originating the concept of a programmable computer. | ||
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In 1991, a perfectly functioning difference engine was constructed from Babbage's original plans. Built to tolerances achievable in the 19th century, the success of the finished engine indicated that Babbage's machine would have worked. | In 1991, a perfectly functioning difference engine was constructed from Babbage's original plans. Built to tolerances achievable in the 19th century, the success of the finished engine indicated that Babbage's machine would have worked. | ||
== | == In the News == | ||
<gallery mode="traditional"> | <gallery mode="traditional"> | ||
File:Ada Lovelace.jpg|link=Ada Lovelace (nonfiction)|[[Ada Lovelace (nonfiction)|Ada Lovelace]]. | File:Ada Lovelace.jpg|link=Ada Lovelace (nonfiction)|[[Ada Lovelace (nonfiction)|Ada Lovelace]]. | ||
</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
== Fiction cross-reference == | == Fiction cross-reference == | ||
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* [[Mathematician]] | * [[Mathematician]] | ||
== External links | == Nonfiction cross-reference == | ||
* [[Ada Lovelace (nonfiction)]] | |||
* [[Polymath (nonfiction)]] | |||
External links: | |||
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Babbage Charles Babbage] @ Wikipedia | * [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Babbage Charles Babbage] @ Wikipedia | ||
Revision as of 05:26, 23 June 2016
Charles Babbage FRS (/ˈbæbɪdʒ/; 26 December 1791 –18 October 1871) was an English polymath.
A mathematician (nonfiction), philosopher, inventor and mechanical engineer, Babbage is best remembered for originating the concept of a programmable computer.
Considered by some to be a "father of the computer", Babbage is credited with inventing the first mechanical computer that eventually led to more complex designs.
His varied work in other fields has led him to be described as "pre-eminent" among the many polymaths of his century.
John Tucker, Professor of Computer Science at Swansea University, however, argues that it was the Welsh mathematician Robert Recorde who first laid down the foundations of these concepts.
Parts of Babbage's uncompleted mechanisms are on display in the London Science Museum.
In 1991, a perfectly functioning difference engine was constructed from Babbage's original plans. Built to tolerances achievable in the 19th century, the success of the finished engine indicated that Babbage's machine would have worked.
In the News
Fiction cross-reference
Nonfiction cross-reference
External links:
- Charles Babbage @ Wikipedia