[SIGCIS-Members] An Encyclopaedia Britannica query, regarding Percy Ludgate

[Brian Randell]

Hi:

I had a number of very quick responses to my query. As a result, I now know that Baxandall's 1926 Science Museum publication was largely reused in both the 1929 and 1940 editions of Encyclopedia Britannica, and each time Ludgate was mentioned, but only as someone who had designed a difference engine. No mention was made of the fact that he had designed, and indeed published a paper describing his design for, an analytical engine. This seems to have been completely forgotten by the time of World War 2.

My thanks to all who responded to my request.

Season's greetings, everyone.

Brian Randell


—
 
School of Computing, Newcastle University, 1 Science Square, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE4 5TG
EMAIL = Brian.Randell at ncl.ac.uk   PHONE = +44 191 208 7923
URL = http://www.ncl.ac.uk/computing/people/profile/brianrandell.html
 

On 28/12/2020, 16:10, "Brian Randell" <brian.randell at newcastle.ac.uk> wrote:

    Hi:

    Season's Greetings everyone!

    I was wondering whether there was anyone on the list who has easy access to the 14th edition of Encyclopaedia Britannica (1929).

    I am trying to find out whether the article "Calculating Machines" by D. Baxandall has any mention of Percy Ludgate (1883-1922), the Irish computer pioneer. (I've been helping with a new paper on Percy Ludgate that has just been accepted by the Annals - see https://www.computer.org/csdl/magazine/an/5555/01/09261950/1oPzQDvL4k0 )

    Baxandall's 1926 Science Museum catalogue "Calculating Instruments and Machine" did contain a mention of Ludgate - the only one I know of in the period between the First and Second World Wars. However, I've only just recalled that Baxandall contributed an abridgement of this to the 14th edition, and I am wondering whether he repeated anything about Ludgate from his 1926 Science Museum publication.

    Best wishes for the New Year

    Stay safe!

    Brian Randell

    —

    School of Computing, Newcastle University, 1 Science Square, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE4 5TG
    EMAIL = Brian.Randell at ncl.ac.uk   PHONE = +44 191 208 7923
    URL = http://www.ncl.ac.uk/computing/people/profile/brianrandell.html