Department of Technology & Social Change, Linkoping University, 1987. Edition 1:1. 416 pages. 97 illustrations. 9.5 x 6.5", paper boards, no dj. ISBN 9178701465. 'To Thomas Parke Hughes from Michael Lindgren, with gratitude, 18th May 1887' on titlepage. Cover rubbed, VG/none.

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Bibliographic Details

Title: GLORY and FAILURE: The Difference Engines of Johann Muller, Charles Babbage & Georg & Edvard Scheutz. Linkoping Studies in Arts & Science - 9; Stockholm Papers in History & Philosophy of Technology - 2017
Publisher: Linkoping University, Stockholm
Publication Date: 1987
Language: English
ISBN 10: 9178701465
ISBN 13: 9789178701469
Binding: Hardcover
Condition: Used - Very Good

About this title

Synopsis

The first attempts to mechanize the production of numerical tables were remarkable in conception coming at a time when a "computer" was in fact a person rather than a machine. This book is the first to provide a unified picture of the difference engines that were the mechanical predecessors of today's digital computer, to emphasize them as part of the history of numerical tables, and to give equal weight to the technical and social aspects of their creation.Lindgren analyzes the difference engines of M�ller and Babbage and the mathematical principles on which they are based, tells the story of how Georg and Edvard Scheutz learned about Babbage's engine, discusses the design and operation of the Scheutzs' machine, and tells why Babbage failed technically and the Scheutzes failed commercially. The often detailed technical descriptions bring to light the inventors' own ways of thinking as work on the engines progressedMichael Lindgren is Curator at the National Museum of Science and Technology in Stockholm.

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