The first mechanical automatic computing engines, which could not only do elementary arithmetic calculations but were also able to look into their internal memory and make decisions, were designed by Charles Babbage (1791-1871) from 1822 till his death in 1871. The main urges driving Babbage to create these wonderworks were the environment of unprecedented engineering ambition in the middle decades of the 19th century and Babbage’s anger with the by hand calculated astronomical tables riddled with errors at that time.
Moron question of the day!
So humans have been playing WOW for 191 years?
Nope! The machines were never realised mainly because of disputes between strong personalities as it often happens when pride and ambition cross each other. The first try to make a computing machine was called project Difference Engine No.1 but was stopped in 1833 because of an argument between Joseph Clement the person responsible for making the parts for the machine, and Babbage. This did not affect the inventor’s drive to transform technology forever and in 1834 the new ‘Analytical Engine’ project emerged, which was basically a big improvement over the initial design of the machine. This much more mature engine which included features resembling a modern digital computer is the main reason why Babbage deserves to be named as ‘the first computer pioneer’. From this point on he mainly worked on improving and reducing the size of the machine designing the final ‘Difference Engine No.2’ between 1847 and 1849. The main improvement was that this machine required 3 times fewer parts than the first prototype for almost the same computing power. It was also improved by using the knowledge gained when designing the ‘Analytical Engine’. Although its size was reduced the machine still would weight 5 tons consisting of 8000 parts and measuring 7 feet high. However, Babbage never built the machine. The plans had to wait 153 before finally the first complete Babbage Engine was completed in London in 2002. There is still much discussion on why Babbage never built his own invention but it seems like his harsh character and the inability to look over personal issues and principles in the name of creating a technological wonder were the main reasons. Babbage left this world in 1871 without any legacy whatsoever. His designs were seriously studied in detail only in the 1970’s when the scale of his accomplishment became clear. However, most probably, principles of computing were reinvented in the electronic era largely in ignorance of his work, showing us that being a genius and realising your potential can be two completely unrelated things.
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