Babbage Differential Engine

[billdeg]

Will pick up. Original box if available. PM for details

 

[dongfeng]

I work 5 minutes walk away from the Science Museum in London where the Differential Engine is kept. Gonna have to go check if its still there now :lol:

 

[billdeg]

thanks. Please tell them that I will try to pick up next week. I have to pick up a TX-0 from MIT this week.

 

[atari2600a]

Didn't some one make a replica of the engine using erectaset parts?

 

[bbcmicro]

I thought it was meccano

*quick google later*

Yes; http://www.meccano.us/difference_engines/rde_1/
http://www.meccano.us/difference_engines/rde_2/index.html

I don't know if there's any difference between that and erectaset, having no idea what it is


I bags the Analytical Engine, rare as hens teeth, considering one doesn't exist.

 

[carlsson]

I wonder how many of Georg and his son Edvard Scheutz' differential machines still exist somewhere. They were Swedes who built the first working, programmable and printing differential engines in 1843, based on Babbage's ideas. A total of four machines are said to have been built.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Per_Georg_Scheutz

 

[MikeS]

I wonder how many of Georg and his son Edvard Scheutz' differential machines still exist somewhere. They were Swedes who built the first working, programmable and printing differential engines in 1843, based on Babbage's ideas. A total of four machines are said to have been built.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Per_Georg_Scheutz

---
Heh; that *would* come from *you*, Carlsson ;-)

m

 

[tezza]

I work 5 minutes walk away from the Science Museum in London where the Differential Engine is kept. Gonna have to go check if its still there now :lol:

I made a point of seeing this when I was in London a few years ago.

It's an amazing piece of equipment!

 

[billdeg]

oops, nevermind, I have one after all. Next to my Mona Lisa.

 

[atari2600a]

I made a point of seeing this when I was in London a few years ago.

It's an amazing piece of equipment!

It's only a model... </MontyPython>

 

[modem7]

I've just put my Babbage Differential Engine up on eBay.
And it comes with a Certificate Of Authenticity, signed by Babbage himself.
No reserve.

 

[tezza]

I've just put my Babbage Differential Engine up on eBay.
And it comes with a Certificate Of Authenticity, signed by Babbage himself.
No reserve.

And shipping to New Zealand is...? :winking:

 

[CP/M User]

billdeg wrote:

oops, nevermind, I have one after all. Next to my Mona Lisa.

Which is hanging next to the Fallen Madonna with the big boobies by What's it's name!

 

[mbbrutman]

Modem7 - How much for shipping to USA postal code 55902?

 

[bbcmicro]

Which is hanging next to the Fallen Madonna with the big boobies by What's it's name!

Van Klomp?
Doesn't stand up next the the True Grail. N.I.B, f/s or trade.

 

[carlsson]

Seriously, isn't it feasible to build differential engine replicas today? I think that even has been done. Of course they would not have a CoA signed by Charles Babbage, but since his machine never was finished/got working anyway, I wouldn't bother too much. I like working computers more than nonfunctional mock-ups, even if they're one of a kind.

 

[CP/M User]

carlsson wrote:

Seriously, isn't it feasible to build differential engine replicas today? I think that even has been done. Of course they would not have a CoA signed by Charles Babbage, but since his machine never was finished/got working anyway, I wouldn't bother too much. I like working computers more than nonfunctional mock-ups, even if they're one of a kind.

No the Differential engine is indeed a complete working machine which Babbage made, according to my book there's two Differential engines - the first one stands vertically and the second horizontally both look to be calculating machines to handle large numbers. It was the Analytical Engine which was never completed. In 1823 the British Government gave Babbage funding to construct the Difference Engine - however I'm unsure if the second Difference Engine was built by Babbage, all I know is other Difference Engines were built by other people.

It was a Van Klomp! :-D

 

[Druid6900]

Actually, I have the Analytical Engine in my guest bedroom next to my Perpetual Motion Machine (should have never started the damn thing) and it just needs to have the DS-1287 RTC chip replaced (it's not socketed)

 

[linemanduke]

in my guest bedroom next to my Perpetual Motion Machine (should have never started the damn thing)

i actually have a perpetual motion clock in my guest bedroom
(wound by changes in air pressure) went in to day and cat had knocked it off the shelf and it stopped lol (btw its been running since 1978.) so it appears only major speed bump for perpetual motion is............. cats. lol

 

[modem7]

however I'm unsure if the second Difference Engine was built by Babbage

Must have because there is a "#2" stamped on the bottom of mine, right next to the initials of "C.B."

There are other stampings of:
"Made in Great Britain from local an imported parts"
"Subject to British high technology export restrictions"
"No user serviceable parts inside"
"Return-to-base warranty"

I've just learned that eBay have delisted my item on the grounds of 'questionable authenticity'.
Did they not read my listing - I've got a Certificate Of Authenticity!