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Charles Babbage

English polymath and computer pioneer.

Charles Babbage, known as the 'father of the computer', invented the first mechanical computer, the Difference Engine. His Analytical Engine laid the foundation for modern computers. Babbage was also a mathematician, philosopher, and mechanical engineer, with diverse interests in various fields. Despite not seeing the completion of his designs, his contributions to computing are highly regarded.

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Ada Lovelace Alan Turing Ludwig Wittgenstein Artificial Intelligence James Watt Computer John von Neumann Bertrand Russell Steam Engine Alexander Graham Bell

Timeline

Charles Babbage's Birth

Charles Babbage, the father of the computer, was born on 26 December 1791 in London. He had a keen interest in mathematics from a young age.

Confirmation of Charles Babbage's Birth Registration

In 1975, it was confirmed that Charles Babbage's birth was registered on January 6, 1792, at St Mary's Newington in London. This discovery provided clarity about his actual birthdate.

Charles Babbage born

Charles Babbage, the English mathematician, philosopher, inventor and mechanical engineer, was born on December 22, 1799.

Charles Babbage's Education at Trinity College, Cambridge

In 1811, Charles Babbage entered Trinity College, Cambridge, where he excelled in mathematics and was ahead of his tutors. He co-founded the Analytical Society to promote continental mathematics and reform Newtonian mathematics.

Babbage's Search for a New Method

On May 13, 1812, Charles Babbage started looking for a new method to eliminate human errors in calculations.

Publication of Memoirs of the Analytical Society

Babbage and Herschel published Memoirs of the Analytical Society in 1813, which provided a history of calculus and the Newton-Leibniz controversy. Despite being written by two undergraduates, it was a significant and deep work.

Marriage of Charles Babbage and Georgiana Whitmore

On 25 July 1814, Charles Babbage married Georgiana Whitmore at St. Michael's Church in Teignmouth, Devon. They lived in various places and had eight children, but only four survived childhood. Georgiana passed away in 1827.

Marriage of Charles Babbage

On October 15, 1814, Charles Babbage married Georgiana Whitmore.

Birth of Augusta Ada King, Countess of Lovelace

Augusta Ada King, Countess of Lovelace, was born in 1815. She was an English mathematician and writer, known for her work on Charles Babbage's Analytical Engine.

Fellow of the Royal Society

In 1816, Charles Babbage was honored as a Fellow of the Royal Society, recognizing his significant contributions to the field of science and technology.

Charles Babbage receives MA from Cambridge

In 1817, Charles Babbage received a Master of Arts degree from Cambridge University.

Construction of Small Difference Engine

In 1819, Charles Babbage began constructing a small difference engine to construct tables using the method of differences by mechanical means. By 1822, he had completed the engine and announced his invention in a paper presented to the Royal Astronomical Society.

Founding of the Royal Astronomical Society

In 1820, Charles Babbage played a key role in establishing the Royal Astronomical Society, originally named the Astronomical Society of London. The society aimed to standardize astronomical calculations and distribute data, aligning with Babbage's computational ideas.

Invention of the Difference Engine by Charles Babbage

In 1821, Charles Babbage invented the Difference Engine, a machine designed to compile mathematical tables, marking a significant advancement in computational technology.

Discussion on Calculating Engine Principles

On April 12, 1822, Charles Babbage discussed the main principles of a calculating engine in a letter to Sir H. Davy.

Presentation of Difference Engine

In 1822, Charles Babbage presented his invention, the 'difference engine,' to the Royal Astronomical Society. He also discussed its application in a paper titled 'Note on the application of machinery to the computation of astronomical and mathematical tables.'

Ada Lovelace meets Charles Babbage

Ada Lovelace, a mathematician and writer, encounters Charles Babbage, a pivotal moment in the history of computing.

Presentation of Difference Engine to Royal Astronomical Society

Charles Babbage presented his invention, the 'difference engine', to the Royal Astronomical Society.

Babbage receives gold medal from Astronomical Society

Charles Babbage received a gold medal from the Astronomical Society in recognition of his development of the difference engine. This event marked a significant acknowledgment of Babbage's talent and ingenuity in the field of computation.

Gold Medal from Royal Astronomical Society

Charles Babbage was awarded the Gold Medal of the Royal Astronomical Society for his invention of an engine for calculating mathematical and astronomical tables.

Gold Medal of the Royal Astronomical Society

On October 6, 1824, Charles Babbage won the Gold Medal of the Royal Astronomical Society for his invention of an engine for calculating mathematical and astronomical tables.

Georgiana Babbage's Death Interrupts Construction

The death of Georgiana, Charles Babbage's father, and an infant son caused a halt in the construction project. This event added to Babbage's already heavy workload, pushing him to the brink of a breakdown. Friends like John Herschel advised Babbage to take a trip to Europe for recovery.

Death of Georgiana Whitmore Babbage

Georgiana Whitmore Babbage, wife of Charles Babbage, passed away in Worcester on 1 September 1827, the same year as their second son and newborn son.

Charles Babbage Named Lucasian Professor

In 1828, Charles Babbage was appointed as the Lucasian Professor of Mathematics at the University of Cambridge. This prestigious position marked a significant recognition of Babbage's contributions to the field of mathematics.

Government Support for Difference Engine Project

Rumours circulated that Charles Babbage had misused government funds and that the Difference Engine was non-functional and lacked practical value. John Herschel and the Royal Society publicly supported the project. The government provided financial backing with advancements of £1500 on April 29, 1829, £3000 on December 3, and £3000.

Babbage named Lucasian Professor of Mathematics

Charles Babbage was appointed as the Lucasian Professor of Mathematics in Italy. Despite his initial reluctance, he accepted the position with the persuasion of his friends.

Establishment of the British Association for the Advancement of Science

In 1831, Charles Babbage founded the British Association for the Advancement of Science, aiming to promote scientific progress.

Publication of On the Economy of Machinery and Manufacture

Babbage published On the Economy of Machinery and Manufacture after taking extensive tours of industry to better understand manufacturing processes. This publication is considered the first on what is now known as operations research.

Publication of On the Economy of Machinery and Manufacture

Charles Babbage published a book titled On the Economy of Machinery and Manufacture during this period.

Attempt to Build a Programmable Machine

Charles Babbage attempted to build a programmable machine capable of performing various calculations beyond polynomial equations.

Babbage's invention of the pilot (cow-catcher)

In 1838, Charles Babbage invented the pilot, also known as a cow-catcher, which is a metal frame attached to the front of locomotives to clear tracks of obstacles. He also constructed a dynamometer car.

Babbage's Public Explanation of Analytical Engine in Turin

In 1840, Charles Babbage visited Turin at the invitation of Giovanni Plana to give the only public explanation and lectures about the Analytical Engine. This event marked a significant moment in the history of computing.

Concept of Programming with Punched Cards

One of the major innovations of the Analytical Engine was the concept of programming using punched cards, allowing for sequential control, branching, and looping. This laid the foundation for modern computer programming.

Solution of a Vigenère cipher published

In 1854, Charles Babbage published the solution of a Vigenère cipher, which had been previously published in the Journal of the Society of Arts. This publication marked a significant advancement in the field of cryptography.

Passages from the Life of a Philosopher

In his autobiography, Babbage wrote extensively about religion, discussing divine knowledge from a priori experience, revelation, and examination of the works of the Creator. He emphasized the importance of studying nature as evidence of the existence of God and advocated for natural theology.

Publication of Babbage's works

Between 1813 and 1868, Charles Babbage published six full-length works and nearly ninety papers, showcasing his wide range of interests in invention, mathematics, science, and economics.

Death of Charles Babbage

Charles Babbage, the pioneering figure in computer science, passed away on October 18, 1871. His contributions to the field of computing laid the foundation for modern computers.

Priority of Babbage's cipher solution established

It was not until 1985 that the priority of Charles Babbage's cipher solution was established. Despite his earlier publications, Babbage's significant contributions to cryptography were recognized posthumously.

Completion of Babbage's second difference engine

The second difference engine designed by Charles Babbage was finally put together on June 13, 1991. This mechanical marvel was a significant achievement in the history of computing and engineering, showcasing Babbage's innovative ideas and contributions to the field.

Charles Babbage - The Great Uncle of Computing?

In 1992, M. V. Wilkes explored the legacy of Charles Babbage as a key figure in the history of computing, raising questions about his influence and impact on modern computer science.

Proposal of 'Plan 28' Project to Construct Babbage's Analytical Engine

In 2011, researchers in Britain proposed the 'Plan 28' project to construct Charles Babbage's Analytical Engine. The project aimed to engage the public and crowd-source the analysis of the engine's construction.

End of the Timeline
Charles Babbage

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