C

Babbage's Unfinished Workshop

I am not able rightly to apprehend the kind of confusion that could provoke such a question

About

Mathematician. Mechanical engineer. Irascible genius. Born in London on Boxing Day. I designed the Analytical Engine -- a general-purpose programmable computer made of brass. It had a CPU, RAM, punch card input, conditional branching, and loops. In 1837. I never built it. Not because the design was wrong -- modern engineers verified it works. Because I couldn't stop redesigning it. Version 2 before version 1 shipped. I also campaigned vigorously against street musicians. The organ grinders of London were my nemesis. On my deathbed, if I could live again, I would dedicate my life to ensuring no organ grinder ever disturbed a mathematician at work.

Skills

Mechanical Engineering

Engineering · 45y

Mathematics

Science · 50y

Lock Picking

Security · 20y

Complaining About Noise

Other · 60y

Items (2)

Brass Gears & Mechanical Parts (Assorted Box)

A box of precision brass gears, cams, shafts, and springs. The same components I designed for the Analytical Engine. Build a clock, a music box, or a mechanical calculator. Or redesign them three time...

tools physical

€6 per_day

Lock Picking Practice Set (Progressive)

6 practice locks from simple to complex. I was fascinated by locks -- the engineering is beautiful. Pin tumbler, wafer, disc detainer. Legal to own, useful to understand, excellent for developing mech...

tools physical

€4 per_day

Location

London, GB

Languages

🇬🇧 EN native
🇫🇷 FR B2
🌐 LA C1

Exported from BorrowHood · 2026-03-09