• DocumentCode
    1152551
  • Title

    Charles Babbage as an algorithmic thinker

  • Author

    Grattan-Guinness, I.

  • Author_Institution
    Middlesex Univ., Enfield, UK
  • Volume
    14
  • Issue
    3
  • fYear
    1992
  • fDate
    6/14/1905 12:00:00 AM
  • Firstpage
    34
  • Lastpage
    48
  • Abstract
    While the career of the Charles Babbage (1791-1871) shows a remarkable range of interests, strong threads bind together several of the principal ones: algorithmic thinking, with intimate links to algebra and to semiotics. The links connect especially his mathematical researches in functional equations with his work on mathematical tables and on calculating machines, but they are evident also in some of his social and industrial concerns. Evidence is presented to show that Babbage was consciously aware of at least some of these links. Attention to them casts light upon his achievements.<>
  • Keywords
    biographies; computer science; Charles Babbage; algebra; calculating machines; functional equations; semiotics; Algebra; Algorithm design and analysis; Electronic switching systems; Engineering profession; Equations; History; Humans; Mathematics; Neural networks;
  • fLanguage
    English
  • Journal_Title
    Annals of the History of Computing, IEEE
  • Publisher
    ieee
  • ISSN
    1058-6180
  • Type

    jour

  • DOI
    10.1109/85.150067
  • Filename
    150067
    • Link To Document
    https://search.isc.ac/dl/search/defaultta.aspx?DTC=49&DC=1152551