Who invented the computer?

Charles Babbage: The Inventor of the Computer

Charles Babbage, a British mathematician, is considered the inventor of the first computer in history. He created the Analytical Engine, a machine regarded as the first device similar to modern computers. This machine contained both a memory unit and a central processing unit (CPU), features that are found in today's computers, though they were named differently. The CPU-like unit was called the Mill, and the memory-like unit was called the Store.

The Idea Behind Charles’ First Computing Model

Charles Babbage's idea to create a computing machine was inspired by Napoleon Bonaparte's initiative in 1819 to replace the old standard system with the metric system in France. The transition required many complex calculations, and human effort had failed to complete this task over time. During a visit to Paris in 1819, Babbage witnessed the massive effort put into completing this project and decided to build a machine that could automatically and accurately perform the calculations. He believed machines could perform tasks with fewer errors than humans.

In 1822, Babbage invented the first mechanical calculator, known as the Difference Engine. This machine could perform a wide range of calculations and print the results on paper. However, due to lack of funding, Babbage was unable to complete a full-scale, working model of the machine. To honor his efforts, the London Science Museum built a full replica of the Difference Engine in 1991, which is now a key artifact in the museum.

Creation of the Analytical Engine

While building the Difference Engine, Babbage began considering the idea of a machine that could perform more than just calculations. He envisioned a revolutionary device capable of general-purpose computation, similar to modern computers. The Analytical Engine included features found in today's computers, such as data input, storage, processing, and control units, as well as a mechanism for printing the results of processed operations.

Ada Lovelace, the daughter of poet Lord Byron, developed a unique method for programming data input and encoding it for the Analytical Engine. Many of her programming techniques are still in use today, making her the first computer programmer in history.

The Analytical Engine was designed to be built from 12,000 mechanical parts and weigh over 15 tons. It was planned to run on steam power. However, the project was not completed during Babbage's lifetime. He left behind nearly 5,000 pages of research and notes outlining the Analytical Engine's full design. Scholars around the world continue to study these pages to attempt to build a working version of the machine. It is expected that a functional model of the Analytical Engine will be completed by 2021, in honor of the 150th anniversary of Babbage’s death.

Charles Babbage's Personal Life

Charles Babbage was born in London on December 26, 1791, to Benjamin Babbage, a banker, and Elizabeth Bloomfield Babbage. He began his early education at home before being sent to school at the age of 8. In 1803, he was enrolled at a boarding school in Enfield, a village near London, where he studied for three years and met his teacher, Stephen Freeman, who inspired him in the fields of science and mathematics.

In 1810, Babbage entered Cambridge University to study mathematics, graduating in 1814. That same year, he married Georgiana Whitmore, with whom he had eight children. He earned his Master’s degree in 1817 and held various academic positions, including the Lucasian Professor of Mathematics at Cambridge University from 1828 to 1839. He passed away on October 18, 1871, and was buried in Kensal Green Cemetery in London.

Charles Babbage's Contributions to Science

Babbage was not only a mathematician and inventor, but also a prolific contributor to various fields of science. Throughout his life, he published nearly 90 scientific papers and invented useful devices such as the eye-piece magnifier, black box recorders, and earthquake detectors. In 1812, he helped found the Analytical Society and was elected a fellow of the Royal Society in 1816. He also contributed to the creation of the Royal Astronomical Society and the Royal Statistical Society.