On the Principles and Development of the Calculator (Paperback)

Charles Babbage

ISBN 10: 0486246914 / ISBN 13: 9780486246918

Published by Dover Publications Inc., New York, 2000

About this Item

Paperback. Regarded as a crackpot by his contemporaries and a genius by modern scientists, Charles Babbage (1792-1871) was the true discoverer of the principles on which all modern computing machines are based. His achievements have been virtually forgotten, but this compilation of his writings, in addition to those of several of his contemporaries, illuminates his pioneering work.Part I consists of selections from Babbage's long-out-of-print autobiography, Passages from the Life of a Philosopher, in which he recounts the pursuit of his dreams and remarks on noteworthy acquaintances, including Laplace, Biot, Humboldt, and Sir Humphry Davy. Additional features include articles, sketches, and letters by Babbage himself along with notes by his contemporaries that explain the principles and operation of the inventor's brilliant - but never completed - calculating machines. An informative Introduction places these writings in their historical context. Charles Babbage (1792-1871) articulated the principles behind modern computing machines. This compilation of his writings, plus those of several of his contemporaries, illuminates the early history of the calculator. Shipping may be from our UK warehouse or from our Australian or US warehouses, depending on stock availability.

Seller Inventory # 9780486246918

Bibliographic Details

• Title: On the Principles and Development of the Calculator (Paperback)
• Publisher: Dover Publications Inc., New York
• Publication Date: 2000
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0486246914
• ISBN 13: 9780486246918
• Binding: Paperback
• Condition: new

About this title

Synopsis

Charles Babbage (1792-1871) articulated the principles behind modern computing machines. This compilation of his writings, plus those of several of his contemporaries, illuminates the early history of the calculator.

About the Author

Dr. Martin Campbell-Kelly is Lecturer in Computer Science, University of Warwick, Editor-in-Chief of the Charles Babbage Institute reprint series for the History of Computing, and editor of "Annals of the History of Computing".