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Wonderful work, jgc. I remain, as always, impressed by your efforts to bring proper attention and respect to our intellectual forefathers.

A tip of the hat to you, sir.

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Very kind of you. Here's the BBC's version: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-15001514

So how are you going to power this thing once it is built? Wind, water or steam? :-)

Edit: I do hope it will be steam powered! (At least once - just so someone can record what it would sound like).

Steam. The goal of the project is to be historically accurate and it appears that Babbage himself felt that steam would be necessary (unlike the hand-cranked Difference Engine No. 2). Only a small steam engine is likely to be needed and I have had offers from various people of expertise.

Do you need a license to operate a steam engine in the UK?

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