Finite Differences

This is an example of the hand-written computation of differences that Babbage hoped to replace with his automatic Difference Engine. Although Babbage's designs were the first stage in the evolution of the modern computer, they were merely an intermediate, though significant, stage in the development of computational machines. The most earliest known example of a computational machine was the Abacus.

 

This image of handwritten calculations is also significant because it represents the method of storage that preceded those of the computer age. It differs from digital storage in that it takes up more space, but its information is readily available without the need for conversion or translation.

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