Charles BabbageBy Paul Gehle

Who is Babbage?

An English mathematician and scientist.Created a machine that read punch cards to

solve math problems.It was called the “Difference engine”.

Early Life

Born: December 26, 1791Place of birth: London, EnglandFamily: Benjamin Babbage(father) & Betsy Plumleigh

Babbage(mother).School attended: Trinity College, Cambridge, 1811

Place in History

He was deemed the “Father of Computing” for his detailed plans for mechanical Calculating engines.

Its function was added to modern day computers.Built a second machine, the “Analytical engine”.

Other Accomplishments

Created several other inventions beside the Difference engine◦ Ex. Cowcatcher, railroad gauge, lights for lighthouses,

and dynamometer. Wrote novels on technology, math and philosophy

Reason to build the engine

High error rate in calculating math tables.Wanted to build something that can solve

problems without human error.He started constructing the difference engine but

it was incomplete do to lack of funding.

Partners with Lovelace

Augusta Ada Lovelace (1815- 1852)She wrote programs for a machine Babbage

didn’t build.They both worked on their machine that could

solve problem and read programs.

Other use of machine

The prototype was given to the Navy to help with navigation.

Death

Died: Oct 18, 1871 in London, England at age 80.

Reason: Supposedly from old age.

Sources

http://www.ideafinder.com/history/inventors/babbage.htm http://math.about.com/library/blbiobabbage.htm http://www.gap-system.org/~history/Biographies/Babbage.html http://ei.cs.vt.edu/~history/Babbage.html http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic-art/22628/19222/The-Analytic

al-Engine-A-portion-of-Charles-Babbages-Analytical-Engine http://www.cbi.umn.edu/about/babbage.html