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, although never successfully completing an invention, Babbage’s inventions and original concept of the ‘computer’ was the base of the evolutionary process which eventually became the modern computer. Charles’ contributions earned him the title of ‘The Father of Modern Computing’.

Bibliography "Charles Babbage." The History of Computing Project. 20 Aug. 2002. 15 Sept. 2005 <http://www.thocp.net/biographies/babbage_charles.html>. Charles Babbage, Anthony Hyman, Maboth Moseley, and Doron Swade. "Charles Babbage." Wikipedia. 13 Sept. 2005. 14 Sept. 2005 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Babbage%2C_Charles>.