Charles Babbage proposes a ‘difference engine’ - On this day in history

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14 June 2016
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14-June-1822-Charles_Babbage-12058.jpg Charles Babbage
On 14 June 1822, Charles Babbage proposed what's believed to be a design for the world's first 'computer'

On 14 June 1822, English polymath Charles Babbage proposed a ‘difference engine’ to the Royal Astronomical Society in a 'Note on the application of machinery to the computation of astronomical and mathematical tables'. It is believed to be a design for the world’s first ‘computer’. A working difference engine was eventually built to his design in 1989-1991 and can now be seen at London’s Science Museum.