EXCERPTS FROM
"THE WORK OF CHARLES BABBAGE" *
by
Richard H. Babbage
... Charles Babbage's main purpose was to reproduce in mechanism
the human faculties of memory and foresight so as to free mankind from
the heavy brain drudgery which accompanied prolonged calculation of intricate
mathematical tables. Our modern "Electronic Numerical Integrator
and Computer" the ENIAC is more marvelous than Babbage's "Analytical Engine"
because of the speed at which it delivers results. But the
application of machinery to perform the functions of memory and foresight
were successfully accomplished more than 110 years ago in his two great
calculating machines . ...
About the beginnings of his mechanical adventures Charles Babbage
makes this observation:
"When the first idea of contriving mechanical means for the calculation
of all classes of astronomical' and arithmetical tables occurred to me,
I contented myself with making simple drawings, and with forming a small
model of a few parts. But when I understood it to be the wish of the Government
that a larger engine should be constructed, a very serious question
presented itself ior consideration, namely: Is the present state of the art
of making machinery sufficiently advanced to enable me to execute the
multiplied and highly complicated movements required for the Difference
Engine?
"After examining all the resources of existing workshops, I came to
the conclusion that, in order to succeed, it would be necessary to advance
the art of construction itself . . . . "
In addition to the many mechanical difficulties which Charles Babbage
encountered in designing his Analytical Engine, another obstacle, of an
amusing nature, is worthy of note.
"The fourth of the apparent impossibilities to which I have referred
concerns the kind of objections that my countrymen make to inventions.
Propose to any Englishman any principle or any instrument, however
admirable, and you will observe that the whole effort of the English mind
is directed to find .a difficulty, a defect, or an impossibility in it. If you
speak to him of a machine for peeling a potato, he will pronounce it impossible;
if you peel a potato with it before his eyes, he will declare it
useless because it will not slice a pineapple. Impart the same principle
or show the same machine to an American or to one of our Colonists and
you will observe that the whole effort of his mind is to find some new application
of the principle, some new use for the instrument."
* A paper delivered at the Symposium on Large-Scale Digital Calculating
Machinery at Harvard University, January 7, 1947, and published in its
"Proceedings."
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS ON THE
WORK OF CHARLES BABBAGE
-
Babbage, Charles. "On Mechanical Notation," Philosophical Transactions,
Vol. II, p. 250, 1826. Can be seen at Hayden Library on special call.
-
Babbage, Charles. "Reflections on the Decline of Science in England and
on Some of Its Causes. " London: Printed for B. Fellowes, Ludgate
Street; and J. Booth, Duke Street, Portland Place, 1830. Available
on inter-library loan from Boston Public Library,
-
Babbage, Charles. "Economy of Machinery and Manufacturers, " London;
Charles Knight,. Pall Mall East 1832. Available Hayden Library on
special call and in part on microfilm at Digital Computer Laboratory.
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Babbage, Charles. "The Ninth Bridgewater Treatise, " 2nd ed. , London:
John Murray, Albemarle St., 270 pages, 1837. Available at Hayden
Library on special call.
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Babbage, Charles. "The Exposition of 1851 or Views of the Industry,
the Sciences, and the Government of England, " London: John Murray,
1851. Can be seen at Hayden Library on special call.
-
Babbage, Charles. "Passages from the Life of a Philosopher," London:
Longman, Green, Longman, Roberts, and Green, 1864. Can be
seen at Hayden Library on special call. Microfilm available at
Digital Computer Laboratory.
-
Babbage, H.P. (ed). "Babbage's Calculating Engines," London:
E. and F.N. Spon, 1889. Available on inter-library loan from Boston
Public Library, also complete microfilm and excerpts on photostat
at the Digital Computer Laboratory.
-
Babbage, Richard H. "The Works of Charles Babbage,"
Proceedings of a Symposium on Large-Scale Digital Calculating Machinery,
Harvard Univ. Press, p. 13, 1947. Available at Digital Computer
Laboratory.