Analytical engine

The analytical engine, an important step in the history of computers, is the design of a mechanical modern general-purpose computer by the British professor of mathematics Charles Babbage. It was first described in 1837, but Babbage continued to work on the design till his death in 1871. Because of financial, political, and legal issues, the engine was never actually built. General-purpose computers that were logically comparable to the analytical engine did not come into existence until about 100 years later.

Related Topics:
History of computers - Computer - Charles Babbage - 1837 - 1871

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Some believe that the technological limitations of the time were a further obstacle to the construction of the machine; others believe that the machine could have been built successfully with the technology of the era if funding and political support had been stronger.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~