Charles Babbage
1791 - 1871
5
Quotes
Biography
Charles Babbage (1791-1871) was an English mathematician, philosopher, inventor, and mechanical engineer who is best known for originating the concept of a programmable computer. He designed the first mechanical computer called the Analytical Engine, which was the precursor of modern computers. Babbage's work laid the foundation for the development of computers and his ideas were ahead of his time. Despite facing challenges in building his machines due to funding and technological limitations of the era, Babbage's contributions to computing are widely recognized.
Famous Quotes (5)
1
On two occasions, I have been asked [by members of Parliament], 'Pray, Mr. Babbage, if you put into the machine wrong figures, will the right answers come out?'. I am not able rightly to apprehend the kind of confusion of ideas that could provoke such a question.
2
The whole of arithmetic now appeared within the grasp of mechanism.
3
Errors using inadequate data are much less than those using no data at all.
4
I am not able to rightly apprehend the kind of confusion of ideas that could provoke such a question.
5
The Emperors used to move armies on the board. An inevitable remark was that the Emperor played a bad game. Another was, that he had lost a great opportunity by not moving a particular corps d'armée of which they would mention the name. It was said at the time that if he had moved this particular corps d'armée he would infallibly have won the battle reported; that if he had done so in the previous battle he must have advanced to the capital and been proclaimed Emperor.