We hate 2020!

Just when we thought 2020 couldn't get any worse! We were about to re-open after many months of being closed but then disaster struck when a mains water pipe burst and flooded much of the ground floor of the museum.
Sadly re-opening has now been postponed. Read More >>>

No visitors, no workshops, no events, no school visits... no income. We know that things are tough for everyone right now, but if you can afford to help us through these tough times please donate what you can.

There's over 36,000 exhibits here! That should keep you occupied for a bit - get searching!

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Thank you.

Charles Babbage takes first steps in the construction of machines that would compute numbers

1822
Charles Babbage takes first steps in the construction of machines that would compute numbers

Charles Babbage proposed the construction of machines for use in the "computation of astronomical and mathematical tables". Although the designs Babbage attempted to build never worked properly, they represent the first steps in the construction of machines that would compute numbers faster and more accurately than humans performing the same job.