terested in mathematical calculation machines. This ultimately became his life interest. He pursued the invention of a machine that could compile mathematical tables. This gave way to the design of the Difference Engine. It performed somewhat complex mathematical tasks using gears and belts, not quite the hardware integrated in todays machines. He eventually conceived the design of an Analytical Engine that would be able to make virtually any calculation (at least those considered in the time period) given the proper commands and instructions. This machine, with a processor-like, mechanical system bared quite a resemblance to the functionality of todays computer components. Due to the lack of technology, however, the Analytical Engine was never produced. Although this final machines production was foiled by the time periods technological failure to advance, his machines and designs would serve as prototypes in the future.Many others built and elaborated on the concept of such a machine as the computer. One of which was the not-so-much-heard-of Alan Turing. Sixty-five years after the death of Charles Babbage, Turing wrote his famous paper. The paper addressed the concept of a machine that would ultimately operate in the same way as the human brain, or simulate one with general accuracy. He predicted the completion of such a machine to occur around 1980, 50 years after his paper was written. By that time, the thousands of scientists gathered around the concept of artificial intelligence had focused more on the study of how the brain itself worked. In 1940, he designed what are now known as the first operational electronic digital computers. He was responsible for the port of the mechanical computer to that of the electronic world. The computers astounded many scientists. They were limited however, by their specialties. Each was designed for specific tasks, so later general purpose computers, like the ENIAC and Z-Series su...
