Charles Babbages Difference Engine No prototype calculating machine English mathematician Charles Babbage first conceived the idea of an advanced calculating machine to calculate and print mathematical tables in as he wanted to eliminate all the sources of inaccuracy associated with compiling mathematical tables by hand The engine was begun in and assembled in by Joseph Clement a skilled toolmaker and draughtsman It was a decimal digital machine the value of a number represented by the positions of toothed wheels marked with decimal numbers
