The Nearly Man

by Nigel Holder

from the January 1983 issue of Personal Computer World

Charles Babbage is remembered as the man who nearly invented the digital computer. Working in a pre-electronic age he nevertheless discovered principles which were not put into practice until Von Neumamin in the 1940’s. His mechanical computer was defeated by the lack of precise enough manufacturing techniques. Nigel Holder tells the story.

This is an account of the work of the pioneer of automatic calculating machines, Charles Babbage. His Difference Engine and Analytical Engine will be discussed. The emphasis is mainly historical, and as such there will be no detailed descriptions of how the machines work. A general over view of the calculating machines is given, as well as a description of the problems that Babbage faced.