Charles Babbage
(December 26, 1791 – October 18, 1871)
By: Andy Chmilenko
Brief Biography
• Charles Babbage who was an English mathematician,
born Dec. 26, 1791, is credited for conceiving the idea
of a programmable computer, and being the father of
computing.
• Charles is the designer of the Difference engine,
Analytical engine, and the Second difference engine,
but he never succeeded in building either machines.
• Babbage was also named the Lucasian Professor of
Mathematics at the University of Cambridge in the
year of 1928.
• Later, Charles died in October 18, 1871, parts of his
uncompleted mechanisms are on display in the
London Science Museum
Contribution to History
• One of the first contributions to history made by
Babbage, was his interest in astronomical study.
• Charles was the co-founder of the Royal
Astronomical Society (RAS) in the year of 1820,
that still now exists, and is the UK’s leading
professional body fir the astronomy and
astrophysics, geophysics solar and solar-terrestrial
physics, and planetary sciences.
Continued
• Also, around the time of 1820, he
formulated the general idea of the first
Difference Engine.
• The Difference Engine invention would
later spark the ideas of other inventions
soon to come.
Continued
• Babbage proposed the idea of the Engine to
the RAS in after publishing it in June of
1822, and The Society approved the idea,
prompting the government to grant £1500
for its construction in 1823.
Continued
• Although, the proposed machine was never
completed due to mechanical problems, and
family matters.
• After being plagued by the death of
Georgiana (his wife), Babbage's father, and
an infant son, Babbage toured several
countries in Europe, visiting several
universities.
Continued
• Babbage was named the Lucasian Professor
of Mathematics at Cambridge, where he
would further develop his mathematical
skills, needed for the development of other
inventions.
Continued
• Later, in 1835, Babbage developed the design for
the Analytical engine, an constantly tried to
improve it’s design, and never was able to get
grant to build his machine.
• Between October 1846 and March 1849, Charles
started making the Second difference engine, and
he did not try to improve the design like he did for
the Analytical Engine.
• The Second Different Engine used only about
8000 parts, three times fewer than the first.
Conclusion
• In conclusion,
Bibliography
• http://www.thocp.net/biographies/babbage_
charles.html
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Babbage%2C_
Charles