Charles Babbage

Charles Babbage

English mathematician, philosopher, inventor and mechanical engineer. Best remembered for originating the concept of a programmable computer, along with Ada Lovelace. Considered by some to be a father of the computer. Along with Lovelace, is credited with inventing the first mechanical computer that eventually led to more complex designs. His varied work in other fields has led him to be described as pre-eminent among the many polymaths of his century.

The right answers

On two occasions I have been asked by members of Parliament: «Pray, Mr. Babbage, if you put into the machine wrong figures, will the right answers come out?». I am not able rightly to apprehend the kind of confusion of ideas that could provoke such a question.

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