Babbage, Charles 1792-1871. English
mathematician credited with being the
inventor of the computer. He designed an
analytical engine, a general purpose
mechanical computing device for performing
different calculations according to a program
input on punched cards (an idea borrowed from
the Jacquard loom). This device was never
built, but it embodied many of the principles
on which present digital computers are based.
As a young man Babbage assisted John Herschel
with his astronomical calculations. He became
involved with calculating machines when he
worked on his difference engine for the
British Admiralty, though this was never
completed.