Researchers Try to Build 19th Century Computer

Charles Babbage, the 19th century British mathematician, philosopher, and engineer, has been called the “father of computing” for the powerful calculating machine he devised in the 1830s: the Babbage Analytical Engine. Babbage never built it, but now a team of British researchers at the Science Museum in London are combing through his blueprints to see if they can –  and to see see if it works.    John Graham-Cumming is a programmer working on creating the Babbage Analytical Engine.