"Propose to an Englishman any principle, or any……" — Charles Babbage
"Propose to an Englishman any principle, or any instrument, however admirable, and you will observe that the whole effort of the English mind is directed to find a difficulty, a defect, or an impossibility in it. If you speak to him of a machine for peeling a potato, he will pronounce it impossible: if you peel a potato with it before his eyes, he will declare it useless, because it will not slice a pineapple."
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Charles Babbage
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62 Quotes by Charles Babbage
Charles Babbage has 62 quotes on this site.
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On two occasions I have been asked, 'Pray, Mr. Babbage, if you put into the machine wrong figures, will the…
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Errors using inadequate data are much less than those using no data at all.
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A powerful attraction exists, therefore, to the promotion of a study and of duties of all others engrossing the time…
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The difference between a tool and a machine is not capable of very precise distinction; nor is it necessary, in…
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In mathematics we have long since drawn the rein, and given over a hopeless race.
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The public character of every public servant is legitimate subject of discussion, and his fitness or unfitness for office may…
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Another mode of accumulating power arises from lifting a weight and then allowing it to fall.
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I am inclined to attach some importance to the new system of manufacturing; and venture to throw it out with…
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Those from whose pocket the salary is drawn, and by whose appointment the officer was made, have always a right…
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A tool is usually more simple than a machine; it is generally used with the hand, whilst a machine is…
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The economy of human time is the next advantage of machinery in manufactures.
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The half minute which we daily devote to the winding-up of our watches is an exertion of labour almost insensible;…
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