Home

Themes | Tours | By Area
Map | New | Hot

Latest News
Comments
On This Day in London
Can You Help?
Email Newsletter

Sign Up/Register
Forgot Password?
Contribute a Location

About Us
Friends
Contact Us

RSS Feeds

IN THE NEWS

BBC Media Village and White City 

I NEED A...

• London Xmas Shop
• London Betting
• London Bookshop
• London Car Hire
• London Car Parking
• London Shopping
• London Dating
• London Flats to Rent
• Flights to London
• London Flower Delivery
• London Hotel
• London Music
• London Finance
• London Restaurant
• London Theatre

Number of Locations:

LATEST TOURS

TOP TOURS

TOP TOUR GUIDES

    1. Ade  
    2. Jez  
    3. Dave Evans  
    4. Brian  
    5. James Robertson  

LONDON THEMES

Charles Babbage was born here

The father of computers, Charles Babbage, was born here.

Location: 44 Crosby Row, Newington, London

Description: Our lives might be very different today without Charles Babbages early calculating machines. He was born near this spot. He is regarded by many as the father of computing.

His Difference Engine, invented in 1821, was the worlds first successful automatic calculator and the design for his Analytical Engine (1856) is generally considered the foundation of todays computers.

Born in Crosby Row (now Larcom Street) in 1791, Babbage taught himself algebra at a young age and, upon entering Cambridge University at the age of 20, found himself a far better mathematician than his tutors. He co-founded the Analytical Society for reforming the mathematics of Newton then taught at the university and was later to occupy the Lucasian Chair of Mathematics at Cambridge, a post previously held by Isaac Newton and now held by Prof. Stephen Hawking. He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1816 and played a major part in setting up the Astronomical Society (later Royal Astronomical Society) in 1820. It was around this time that Babbage first became interested in calculating machines, which would be his consuming passion for the rest of his life.

Unfortunately, little remains of Babbages prototype computing machines. The government withdrew funding for his Difference Engine in 1832, so it was left for George Scheutz, a Swedish printer, to successfully construct a Difference Engine in 1854, according to Babbages design. The machine was extremely accurate and was subsequently used by the British and American governments. Babbages many intellectual achievements would have assured him fame, irrespective of his Difference and Analytical Engines. But his failure to construct these machines and the failure of the government to support his work left him in his later years a disappointed and embittered man. He died at his home in London in October 1871.

• Location
• Comments
• More

Themes: Science  Technology
Submitted by: Ade 
Ranking This Month: 2453/2532
Pages Hit This Month: 103
Link to This Page: http://www.shadyoldlady.com/location.php?loc=460
Credits: http://lbstest.hosting-it.net/

Charles Babbage was born here The father of computers, Charles Babbage, was born here.

The Shady Old Lady points out that you can drag this map using mouse. Or visit our full massive map.

Got something to add? Write it 'ere:

Name:     Email:
Your email will ONLY be used once, to confirm the publication of your comments. We value your contribution and privacy.
<Put your comments here>
Anti-spam Security: Please enter this code: