On two occasions I have been asked,—"Pray, Mr. Babbage, if you put into the machine wrong figures, will the right answers come out?" In one case a member of the Upper, and in the other a member of the Lower, House put this question. I am not able rightly to apprehend the kind of confusion of ideas that could provoke such a question.
Babbage, Charles. Passages from the Life of a Philosopher, ch. 51864
The whole of arithmetic now appeared within the grasp of mechanism.
Babbage, Charles. Passages from the Life of a Philosopher, ch. 81864
As soon as an Analytical Engine exists, it will necessarily guide the future course of the science. Whenever any result is sought by its aid, the question will then arise — by what course of calculation can these results be arrived at by the machine in the shortest time?
Babbage, Charles. Passages from the Life of a Philosopher, ch. 81854.
It is difficult to estimate the misery inflicted upon thousands of persons, and the absolute pecuniary penalty imposed upon multitudes of intellectual workers by the loss of their time, destroyed by organ-grinders and other similar nuisances.
Babbage, Charles. Passages from the Life of a Philosopher, ch. 26.1854.
Mr. Herschel brought with him the calculations of the computers, and we commenced the tedious process of verification. After a time many discrepancies occurred, and at one point these discordances were so numerous that I exclaimed, "I wish to God these calculations had been executed by steam," to which Herschel replied, "It is quite possible."
Babbage, Charles. quoted in Harry Wilmot Buxton and Anthony Hyman (1988), Memoir of the Life and Labours of the Late Charles Babbage.1839.
There exists, perhaps, no single circumstance which distinguishes our country more remarkable from all others, than the vast extent and perfection to which we have carried the contrivance of tools and machines for forming those conveniences of which so large a quantity is consumed by almost every class of the community.
Babbage, Charles. On the Economy of Machinery and Manufactures. 1832.
The advantages which are derived from machinery and manufactures seem to arise principally from three sources: The addition which they make to human power. The economy they produce of human time. The conversion of substances apparently common and worthless into valuable products.
Babbage, Charles. On the Economy of Machinery and Manufactures. 1832.
Of tools. The difference between a tool and a machine is not capable of very prices distinction; nor is it necessary, in a popular explanation of those terms, to limit very strictly their acceptation. A tool is usually more simple than a machine; it is generally use with the hand, whilst a machines is frequently moved by animal or steam power.
Babbage, Charles. On the Economy of Machinery and Manufactures. 1832.
Of those machines by which we produce power, it may be observed, that although they are to us immense acquisitions, yet in regard to two of the sources of this power-the force of wind and of water—we merely make use of bodies in a state of motion by nature; we change the directions of their movement in order to render them subservient to our purposes, but we neither add to nor diminish the quality of motion in existence.
Babbage, Charles. On the Economy of Machinery and Manufactures. 1832.
In stating the broad principle, that all combinations of mechanical art can only augment the force communicated to the machine at the expense of the time employed in producing the effect, it might, perhaps, be imagined, that the assistance derived from such contrivances is small. This is, however, by no means the case: since the almost unlimited variety they afford, enables us to exert to the greatest advantage whatever force we employ.
Babbage, Charles. On the Economy of Machinery and Manufactures. 1832.
When a small blow is given to a large mass of matter, as to a pile, the imperfect elasticity of the material causes a small loss of momentum in the transmission of the motion from each particle to the succeeding one,; and, therefore, it may happen that the whole force communicated shall be destroyed before it reaches the opposite extremity.
Babbage, Charles. On the Economy of Machinery and Manufactures. 1832.
It is therefore not unreasonable to suppose that some portion of the neglect of science in England, may be attributed to the system of education we pursue. A young man passes from our public schools to the universities, ignorant of almost every branch of useful knowledge; and at these latter establishments … classical and mathematical pursuits are nearly the sole objects proposed to the student's ambition.
Babbage, Charles. Reflections on the decline of science in England, and on some of its causes.B. Fellowes, London. 1830.
If we look at the fact, we shall find that the great inventions of the age are not, with us at least, always produced in universities.
Babbage, Charles. Reflections on the decline of science in England, and on some of its causes. B. Fellowes, London. 1830.
On two occasions I have been asked, ‘Pray, Mr. Babbage, if you put into the machine wrong figures, will the right answers come out?’ I am not able rightly to apprehend the kind of confusion of ideas that could provoke such a question.
Babbage, Charles.
A powerful attraction exists, therefore, to the promotion of a study and of duties of all others engrossing the time most completely, and which is less benefited than most others by any acquaintance with science.
Babbage, Charles.
Errors using inadequate data are much less than those using no data at all.
Babbage, Charles.
The half minute which we daily devote to the winding-up of our watches is an exertion of labour almost insensible; yet, by the aid of a few wheels, its effect is spread over the whole twenty-four hours.
Babbage, Charles.
Those from whose pocket the salary is drawn, and by whose appointment the officer was made, have always a right to discuss the merits of their officers, and their modes of exercising the duties they are paid to perform.
Babbage, Charles.
A tool is usually more simple than a machine; it is generally used with the hand, whilst a machine is frequently moved by animal or steam power.
Babbage, Charles.
I find no flaw in your reasoning about the Analytical Engine; I admire it; but you are aware that it rests entirely on the hypothesis that I care for the ‘whole human race’.
Babbage, Charles.
The public, who consume the new commodity or profit by the new invention, are much better judges of its merit than the government can be.
Babbage, Charles.
There are few circumstances which so strongly distinguish the philosopher, as the calmness with which he can reply to criticisms he may think undeservedly severe.
Babbage, Charles.
To those who have chosen the profession of medicine, a knowledge of chemistry, and of some branches of natural history, and indeed, of several other department of science, affords useful assistance.
Babbage, Charles.
When a mass of matter is to be removed a certain force must be expended; and upon the proper economy of this force the price of transport will depend.
Babbage, Charles.
Whenever the work is itself light, it becomes necessary, in order to economize time, to increase the velocity.
Babbage, Charles.
When a mass of matter is to be removed a certain force must be expended; and upon the proper economy of this force the price of transport will depend.
Babbage, Charles.
Whenever the work is itself light, it becomes necessary, in order to economize time, to increase the velocity.
Babbage, Charles.
There is, however, another purpose to which academies contribute. When they consist of a limited number of persons, eminent for their knowledge, it becomes an object of ambition to be admitted on their list.
Babbage, Charles.
Source: European Graduate School (EGS)
