Charles Babbage
Charles Babbage
Charles Babbage KH FRSwas an English polymath. A mathematician, philosopher, inventor and mechanical engineer, Babbage, along with Ada Lovelace, is best remembered for originating the concept of a programmable computer...
NationalityEnglish
ProfessionScientist
Date of Birth26 December 1791
ideas two confusion
On two occasions I have been asked, '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.
tools increase wells
At each increase of knowledge, as well as on the contrivance of every new tool, human labour becomes abridged.
guides engines courses
As soon as an Analytical Engine exists, it will neccessarily guide the future course of science.
military moving men
The proportion between the velocity with which men or animals move, and the weights they carry, is a matter of considerable importance, particularly in military affairs.
science names empty
What is there in a name? It is merely an empty basket, until you put something into it.
knowing vision defects
An object is frequently not seen, from not knowing how to see it, rather than from any defect of the organ of vision.
science analysis development
The whole of the developments and operations of analysis are now capable of being executed by machinery ... As soon as an Analytical Engine exists, it will necessarily guide the future course of science.
failure mathematical-logic data
Errors using inadequate data are much less than those using no data at all.
next economy machinery
The economy of human time is the next advantage of machinery in manufactures.
certain economy english-mathematician force mass matter price proper transport
When a mass of matter is to be removed a certain force must be expended; and upon the proper economy of this force the price of transport will depend.
cannot case english-mathematician fertile force maintained moving power source
The force of vapour is another fertile source of moving power; but even in this case it cannot be maintained that power is created.
education english-mathematician portion science suppose system therefore
It is therefore not unreasonable to suppose that some portion of the neglect of science in England, may be attributed to the system of education we pursue.