Charles Babbage Biography
Charles Babbage, FRS (26 December 1791 London, England – 18 October 1871 Marylebone, London, England) was an English mathematician, philosopher, inventor and mechanical engineer who originated the concept of a programmable computer.
Parts of his 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. Nine years later, the Science Museum completed the printer Babbage had designed for the difference engine, an astonishingly complex device for the 19th century. Babbage is credited with inventing the first mechanical computer that eventually led to more complex designs.
Charles Babage studied at Cambridge University and after graduation was employed by the Royal Institution to lecture on calculus. He was a maths lecturer at Cambridge from 1828 -39.
The government later employed him to build a programmable computer. He worked tirelessly on his invention spending a lot of time and money. His plans in theory worked but his employers eventually got tired of waiting. Many of his nearly finished models were melted down for scrap. Yet, later he was recognised for the important contribution he made to the development of a computer.
He died in October, 1871
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