The first mechanical computer was invented by Charles Babbage. He designed the Difference Engine, which is considered the first automatic mechanical computer, around the year 1822. Babbage began developing this machine to mechanically calculate mathematical tables using the method of finite differences. Although the full-scale Difference Engine was never completed due to funding and engineering conflicts, it marked the invention of the first mechanical computer concept
. Later, in 1837, Babbage proposed an even more advanced design called the Analytical Engine, which contained features similar to modern computers, such as an arithmetic logic unit, control flow, and integrated memory
. In summary:
- Inventor: Charles Babbage
- First mechanical computer: Difference Engine
- Year invented: Conceptualized and designed starting in 1822
- Further development: Analytical Engine proposed in 1837
