Charles Babbage Comes To Silicon Valley

The difference engine arrived Wednesday at the Computer History Museum. Here it is being lifted off its delivery truck while still in its red shipping cover.(Credit: Daniel Terdiman/CNET News.com)

I was there to see the unfolding of this fantastic masterpiece. But I will let the master story teller, Daniel Terdiman, tell the story. I also need to borrow one of his pictures as I left my camera in San Jose yesterday. You can see more photos at News.com, follow the link below. I will write more about the machine later.

But do not miss the 6 month window, go and see the machine, it is a wonder that will get wheels turning in your head!
Machine invented by Babbage and never built, and the only ones actually constructed were in the 19th century, the first one built in modern times was created in 1991 at London's Science Museum. Much more recently, tech millionaire Nathan Myhrvold visited the London museum and decided he wanted one for himself. So he commissioned the museum to build it for him.

Three-and-a-half years later, the machine was finished, but before it goes in Myhrvold's living room it is going to spend six months on proud display at the Computer History Museum here. And on Wednesday, it was expected to arrive at the Mountain View museum.

Daniel Terdiman's story

tag: Charles Babbage, difference engine, Nathan Myhrvold