Charles Babbage designed computers in the mid-1800’s – though operating with gears, many were effectively digital. He designed (yet never successfully completed building) the “Difference Engine no. 2″ – designed to do complex polynomial equations (necessary at the time for navigation reference tables, etc.).

In 2002, the “Babbage Engine no. 2″ was finally built (London Science Museum), and in March 2008 a second one was built, and as of today the second one is on display at the Computer History Museum (Mountain View, CA) for the next year. Went to the opening event today.

Bonus Round: Babbage Groupies

(photo courtesy of Dana Chrisler)

This is an actual Ada Lovelace tattoo (a mathematician and colleague of Charles Babbage) – perhaps the only one of its kind in existence. Its owner was at the exhibit opening today.

Tags: culture, events, infinite coolness, kicking ass!, technology
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