"Report On Mr. Babbage's Calculating Engine, Report of the Committee appointed by the council of the Royal Society, to consider the subject referred to in Mr. Stewart's Letter, relative to Mr. Babbage's Calculating Engine, and to report thereupon", in: Journal of the Franklin Institute.`

(BABBAGE) Herschel, John Frederick William.

Published by Franklin Institute, Philadelphia, 1831

About this Item

(BABBAGE) Herschel, John Frederick William. "Report On Mr. Babbage's Calculating Engine, Report of the Committee appointed by the council of the Royal Society, to consider the subject referred to in Mr. Stewart's Letter, relative to Mr. Babbage's Calculating Engine, and to report thereupon", in: Journal of the Franklin Institute, 1831, Vol. 7 (New Series), pp. 210-213 in the full volume of 430pp, two folding plates. Philadelphia: Franklin Institute, 1831. 1st Edition. This is a FAIR copy, only, though it could also be a good rebinding copy. This volume has a very domestic paper repair done to the spine and corner, and the front cover is nearly detached. There is also some light moderate foxing. That said, the text is crisp. [++] "John Herschel (1792-1871), distinguished astronomer, was a staunch supporter of the engines. He and Babbage met while undergraduates at Cambridge where they both studied mathematics." They remained lifelong friends: "In a letter to his widow Babbage described Herschel as 'one of the earliest and most valued friends of my life". --Computer History Museum website. [++] Herschel was the Chair of a committee appointed by the Council of the Royal Society, judging the efficacy of the difference engine/computing machine which Babbage was constructing using funds (at this point at about 6,000 pounds) allocated by the society. Herschel's statement and conclusion are as follows: "In judging the adequacy of Mr. Babbage's work to complete the objects for which it was intended, there are two distinct questions--the adequacy of the contrivance, and that of execution. On the former point every explanation has been afforded by Mr. Babbage, and both the drawings and the work executed have been unreservedly subjected to their discussion, and have been such as to excite a well grounded confidence. The movements are combined with all the skill and system which the most experienced workmanship could suggest. Finally taking into consideration all that has already been said, and relying not less on the talent and skill displayed by Mr. Babbage as a mechanician, in the prosecution of this arduous undertaking, for what remains, than on the matured and digested plan and admirable execution of what is to be accomplished, your committee have no hesitation in giving it their opinion, that in the present state of Mr. Babbage's engine, they do regard it as likely to fulfill the expectations entertained by its inventor." .

Seller Inventory # ABE-1636160815953

Bibliographic Details

• Title: "Report On Mr. Babbage's Calculating Engine, Report of the Committee appointed by the council of the Royal Society, to consider the subject referred to in Mr. Stewart's Letter, relative to Mr. Babbage's Calculating Engine, and to report thereupon", in: Journal of the Franklin Institute.`
• Publisher: Franklin Institute, Philadelphia
• Publication Date: 1831
• Binding: Hardcover
• Condition: Fair
• Seller catalogs:
  • Computing History
  • Technology
  • Social History