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Difference engine
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A difference engine is an automatic mechanical calculator designed to tabulate polynomial functions. It was designed in the 1820s, and was created by Charles Babbage. The name difference engine is der
The London Science Museum's difference engine, the first one built from Babbage's design. It has the same precision on all columns, except in calculat
The London Science Museum's difference engine, the first one built from Babbage's design. It has the same precision on all columns, except in calculating polynomials, the precision on the higher-order columns could be lower.
Close-up of the London Science Museum's difference engine showing some of the number wheels and the sector gears between columns. The sector gears on
Close-up of the London Science Museum's difference engine showing some of the number wheels and the sector gears between columns. The sector gears on the left show the double-high teeth very clearly. The sector gears on the middle-right are facing the back side of the engine, but the single-high teeth are clearly visible. Notice how the wheels are mirrored, with counting up from left-to-right, or counting down from left-to-right. Also notice the metal tab between "6" and "7". That tab trips the carry lever in the back when "9" passes to "0" in the front during the add steps (Step 1 and Step 3).
Per Georg Scheutz's third difference engine, in the Science Museum, London
Per Georg Scheutz's third difference engine, in the Science Museum, London
Fully operational difference engine at the Computer History Museum in Mountain View, California
Fully operational difference engine at the Computer History Museum in Mountain View, California
Mechanical calculator
Videos
A mechanical calculator, or calculating machine, is a mechanical device used to perform the basic operations of arithmetic automatically, or a simulation like an analog computer or a slide rule. Most
Difference engine
…A difference engine is an automatic mechanical calculator designed to tabulate polynomial functions. It was designed in the 1820s, and was created by Charles Babbage. The name difference engine is derived from…
Four of Pascal's calculators and one machine built by Lépine in 1725, Musée des Arts et Métiers
Four of Pascal's calculators and one machine built by Lépine in 1725, Musée des Arts et Métiers
Replica of Schickard´s calculator
Replica of Schickard´s calculator
Detail of a replica of an 18th-century calculating machine, designed and built by German Johann-Helfrich Müller.
Detail of a replica of an 18th-century calculating machine, designed and built by German Johann-Helfrich Müller.
A mechanical calculator from Anton Braun, dated 1727
A mechanical calculator from Anton Braun, dated 1727