A large mechanical contraption consisting of a black iron frame enclosing stacks of brass gears. One one side is attached a vertical shaft with dozens of cams of different profiles, and on the other side, a printing plate.

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   Dave Rahardja (drahardja@sfba.social)'s status on Monday, 06-Jan-2025 06:32:46 JST Dave Rahardja

   I ran across this photo I took of the fully functional Babbage Difference Engine No. 2 while it was on display at the Computer History Museum in Mountain View.

   I count myself lucky to have seen this marvel in person, and to see a demonstration of the device being operated.

   The machine was commissioned by Nathan Mhyrvold of Microsoft fame, and is now housed in the lobby of Intellectual Ventures in Bellevue, Washington.

   #computers #vintageComputing #computerHistory