Key People

Charles Babbage

Charles Babbage
Another age must be the judge. 1837
Credit: Science Museum

George Biddell Airy

George Biddell Airy
I think it likely that he lives in a sort of dream as to its utility. 1823
Credit: London Illustrated News

Henry Prevost Babbage

Henry Prevost Babbage
I wished, if I could, to justify the confidence he [Babbage] had shown in me by embodying some of his ideas in metal. 1910
Credit: Science Museum

Joseph Clement

Joseph Clement
You ordered a first-rate article, and you must be content to pay for it. (undated)
Credit: Science Museum

John Herschel

John Herschel
Who the deuce ever did anything worth naming without sacrifice? 1830
Credit: Science Museum

Dionysius Lardner

Dionysius Lardner
All the dull monotony and numerical computation is turned over to the untiring action and unerring certainty of mechanical agency. 1834
Credit: Science Museum

Ada Lovelace

Ada Lovelace
The Analytical Engine weaves algebraic patterns just as the Jacquard loom weaves flowers and leaves. 1843
Credit: Science Museum

Robert Peel (Prime Minister)

Robert Peel (Prime Minister)
What shall we do to get rid of Mr. Babbage and his calculating machine? 1842
Credit: Science Museum

Georg & Edvard Scheutz

Georg & Edvard Scheutz
[Babbage] will then be known for what he truly is, namely, one of the benefactors of mankind, and one among the noblest and most ingenious of the sons of England. 1857
Credit: Science Museum