Babbage's Difference Engine

The Difference Engine was an accurate mechanical calculator designed by Charles Babbage in the 1840s, but was never built in its inventor's lifetime.

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+16 1. WildMonkey commented 12 years ago

At least he wasn't forgotten, unlike his chain of retail electronic stores.
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-5 2. aravind7 commented 12 years ago

Can this Run Call Of Duty ?
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+35 3. boytalk commented 12 years ago

As a university student, I find it difficult to begin to comprehend how mathematicians in the 19th century would attempt to produce these machines, 31 decimal places?! I'm used to using a digital calculator digitally so seeing a mechanical realisation of something so complex is mind-boggling.
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-7 4. beerholder commented 12 years ago

From what it does, it sounds more like a calculator than a computer
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+1 5. Natan_el_Tigre commented 12 years ago

Awesome! This clip is like intellectual Viagra! 8-)
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+2 6. glassweaver commented 12 years ago

This isn't even his greatest work. After the difference engine, he designed the analytical engine - a machine with a mechanical processor, mechanical RAM, and mechanical data storage.

Yes, Babbage invented a mechanical processor, one that the microprocessor in the machine you're using right now is modeled after to this day (just on a molecular level). Moreover, if you try to find who invented binary, you'll get a lot of arguments about this, mostly debating people from the 1940's/50's.

In reality though? Babbage. 1837. Oh yes, and the hard drive in the machine you're using is also modeled after his designs.

@Beerholder, a calculator is a computer.
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+16 7. dushan commented 12 years ago

"pc, i'm your father" :D
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-7 8. wongraven commented 12 years ago

Its a damn mecha.nical calculator !! Think of the ones who imagined and buildt this machine !! Anyway, YES to MORE VIDEOS here on snotr !! I am not satisfied !! <3
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+23 9. Cyrille commented 12 years ago

#4 Computers are just damn fast calculators.
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+11 10. loadrunner commented 12 years ago

#4 This calculator does not need to update every 12 ours and keep the internet connection cranked. :D
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+6 12. thorargent commented 12 years ago

People back then were a lot sharper than most people today, they just didn't have the technical toys and resources we have. Adversity sharpens the mind.
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+5 13. xmadxxx commented 12 years ago

owch my head :O
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+5 14. Dudtotally commented 12 years ago

How can you say "people were a lot smarter back than most people today"? we where equally smart, just different circumstances..
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-1 15. thorargent commented 12 years ago

#14 Well, for example, what you wrote is not even close to being correct or what I wrote. Think about it.
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-3 16. medioculus commented 12 years ago

A very fascinating complete WASTE OF TIME AND MONEY!!! :P
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+3 17. cyberdevil commented 12 years ago

I wonder who's ahead of their time right now and isn't able to build their latest invention. Really fascinating stuff this is. :)