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(Wiki Entry #1: Charles Babbage's Difference Engine)
(Wiki Entry #1: Charles Babbage's Difference Engine)
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The Modern History of Computing (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy). Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Retrieved May 30, 2010, from http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/computing-history/
 
The Modern History of Computing (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy). Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Retrieved May 30, 2010, from http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/computing-history/
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==Wiki Entry #2: Bill Gates==

Revision as of 13:32, 9 June 2010

Wiki Entry #1: Charles Babbage's Difference Engine

The Difference Engine is not likely to come to mind when thinking about the origin of computers. Charles Babbage, professor of mathematics at Cambridge University and developer of the Difference Engine, realized that all mathematical equations did not have to be done by hand, and that there had to be a faster way to arrive at a solution (Modern History). Babbage never constructed a working prototype of the Difference Engine, yet his ideas contributed to the development of the field of computing machines. The Difference Engine has an intriguing history, and even though it never actually materialized, the progressive ideas of its developer, Charles Babbage, made an important impact on the history of computing.

The early 19th century ushered in a time of unprecedented advancements in a wide range of fields. In the shadow of advancements in engineering, communication, transportation, and many other fields, lie mathematics. During this time, “Engineers, architects, mathematicians, astronomers, bankers, actuaries, journeymen, insurance brokers, statisticians, navigators - anyone with a need for calculation - relied on printed numerical tables for anything more than trivial calculations” (Babbage Engine). This being noted, printed numerical tables often had flaws because they were calculated by hand, and humans are inherently fallible. Babbage became frustrated by encountering these mistakes on printed numerical tables, and in 1821 exclaimed to his friend, “I wish to God these calculations had been executed by steam” (Babbage Engine). It was at this point in Babbage’s life that he set out to create a calculation machine that would eliminate human error. This was Babbage’s intention, but it would never be fully realized with a working prototype.

Charles Babbage’s first machine, the Difference Engine No. 1, “was designed to automatically calculate and tabulate mathematical functions called polynomials which have powerful general applications in mathematics and engineering” (Babbage Engine). Babbage worked on constructing this project with engineer Joseph Clement. Plans for this first machine detailed an enormous structure weighing nearly fifteen tons. In 1833, construction was stopped because Babbage argued with Clement about moving the workshop closer to his house (Babbage Engine). This first attempt to construct a calculation machine almost bankrupted Babbage, if it were not for the scrap value of the unused parts.

In 1834, Babbage devised plans for an even more advanced machine called the Analytical Engine, a programmable computing machine. This project was way ahead of Babbage’s time. His ideas surpassed the level of engineering and mechanics available to him at the time, therefore, an actual working prototype was never built.

It was not until 1837 that Babbage used the mechanisms involved in the Analytical Engine to start working on the Difference Engine No. 2. This new design would require three times less parts than the Difference Engine No. 1, weigh five tons and measure eleven feet long by seven feet high (Babbage Engine). Babbage never attempted to build this machine because it was again impossible with the mechanics available to him at the time.

The number one reason why Babbage failed to construct a working prototype of his calculation machine can be attributed to his ideas not aligning with the level of engineering and mechanics available at the time. Babbage had all the necessary ideas and plans to accomplish his objective, he just did not have the tools to bring his ideas to fruition. According to the Computer History Museum, “Babbage was a prickly character, highly principled, easily offended and given to virulent public criticism of those he took to be his enemies. Runaway costs, high precision, a disastrous dispute with his engineer, fitful financing, political instability, accusations of personal vendettas, delays, failing credibility and the cultural divide between pure and applied science, were all factors” (Babbage Engine). All of these factors, combined with Babbage’s ideas being so far ahead of his time, are the reasons why he is not widely recognized in the development of computing machines.

Overall, Charles Babbage may not be credited with it, but his ideas for a computing machine that would eliminate human error laid the foundation for the development of computing machines. For his time, the idea of the Difference Engine may not have been that practical, but in years to come its benefit would have been realized. Over 150 years later, “in 1990, Babbage's Difference Engine No. 2 was finally built from Babbage's designs and is also on display at the London Science Museum” (Modern History). Babbage inspired people to think about computing mathematical equations in a way that eliminated the human error found in basic hand calculated tables. This inspiration moved engineers closer toward actually creating computing machines.


References

The Babbage Engine | Computer History Museum. (n.d.). Computer History Museum. Retrieved May 27, 2010, from http://www.computerhistory.org/babbage/

The Modern History of Computing (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy). Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Retrieved May 30, 2010, from http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/computing-history/


Wiki Entry #2: Bill Gates