A computer printer designed more than 150 years ago has finally been built
and is on display at the Science Museum in London. The 2.5-tonne machine was
designed to print the results of Charles Babbage鈥檚 Difference Engine No 2, the
world鈥檚 first mechanical calculator, capable of solving trigonometric problems
and finding binomial solutions. Babbage built neither machine in his lifetime,
but the museum鈥檚 former curator of computing Doron Swade built a working model
in 1991. Now Swade and colleagues have made the 4000-piece printer, which prints
on paper as well as producing printing plates.
More from New Scientist
Explore the latest news, articles and features
Technology
Test moderators use AI-generated writing to judge literacy standards
News
Mind
THC in cannabis may reduce nightmares in people with PTSD
News
Environment
Fishers detonate a bomb every hour on one Indonesian coral reef
News
Environment
How bad is the UK drought and how long will it continue?
News
Popular articles
Trending New Scientist articles