Monthly meeting at Howrah Community Centre

Mike Severs talking on Charles Babbage who was a 19th-century mathematician, engineer and inventor. Among the many things he invented were cow catchers for steam locomotives and coloured spotlights for theatrical productions.

But he’s most famous for his invention of calculating machines, mechanical precursors to computers. Babbage created a working model of his first calculating engine in June 1822, so 2022 is the 200th anniversary of this event.

Babbage is also famous for his friendship with Lord Byron’s daughter Ada Lovelace. She wrote a program for one of his calculating engines, and as a result she is often credited with being the world’s first computer programmer. This talk has a rich cast of people and interesting stories.