Charles Babbage Biography
by Sophia Zheng
Early Life
Charles Babbage, born in 1791, was a mathematician and scientist who created the first digital computer system. His home town consisted of Walworth Road. He was sent to the countryside near Exeter in order to do school. He would move schools several times due to his poor health. In 1810, he studied at the Trinity College of Cambridge. He was active in several engagements, including the Ghostbusters club that studied supernatural phenomena. His work did not stop there- he was part of the Astronomical Society and several other organizations. He would soon find a passion for the mathematics realm.
His Career
Over his career, he became a philosopher, engineer, and mathematician. He is famously known as the “father of computer structure” for his previous designs. He was inducted into the Analytical Society, which helped to advance English mathematics. He decided to try making mechanical tables, which would later become his first calculator prototype. It could perform rudimentary calculations. He was given money to make a Difference Engine, also known as a computer. The full engine was unable to be guilty however due to processing delays, but his work was still saved. His second idea was the Analytical Engine- a digital computer that would process far faster than anything envisioned. He had to hire a person to attend the machine as well. It had a place of storage and units to type. While his greatest contributions are to engineering and math, he also expedited the post office system.
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