1592 –1635
Born in Tübingen, Germany, Wilhelm Schickard was a Lutheran minister and professor of several subjects, including Hebrew, Oriental Languages, and astronomy. He designed and built what is considered to be the first mechanical “calculating machine.” Unfortunately, this machine was destroyed in a fire and lost to history until the 1950s, when Schickard’s original drawings were discovered.
“I have conceived a machine consisting of eleven complete and six incomplete sprocket wheels;
it calculates instantaneously and automatically from given numbers, as it adds, subtracts,
multiplies and divides. You would enjoy to see how the machine accumulates and transports
spontaneously a ten or a hundred to the left and, vice-versa, how it does the opposite if it is
subtracting ...”
– Letter from Schickard to Johannes Kepler, 1623
1623 –1662
The 17th century French scientist and philosopher Blaise Pascal was one of the greatest mathematicians and thinkers of his time. He also made great contributions to Christian literature with his book Pensees (“Thoughts”). Around 1642, Pascal invented one of the first calculating machines, which helped to pave the way for modern computers. The programming language Pascal was named in his honor.
“Men despise religion. They hate it and are afraid that it may be true. The cure for this is first to show that religion is not contrary to reason, but worthy of reverence and respect. Next make it attractive, make good men wish it were true, and then show that it is."
1791-1871
The calculating engines of English mathematician Charles Babbage are some of the most famous artifacts of computing history. His “Difference Engine No.1” is considered to be the first successful calculating machine, and is one of the finest examples of precision engineering of its time. Because of his accomplishments, Babbage is often referred to as the father of modern computing.
“Miracles are not the breach of established laws, but... indicate the existence of far higher laws."
1815-1864
The brilliant English mathematician and logician George Boole developed a form of symbolic logic (called “Boolean Algebra” in his honor) that forms the basis of modern computer technology. His most famous work, entitled “An Investigation of the laws of Thought, on which are founded the Mathematical Theories of Logic and Probabilities,” laid the groundwork for Information Theory, a fundamental concept in Computer Science.
“No matter how correct a mathematical theorem may appear to be, one ought never to be satisfied that there was not something imperfect about it until it also gives the impression of being beautiful.”
1906-1992
Rear Admiral Grace Murray Hopper, one of the pioneers of computer science, was arguably the world’s most well known programmer. She developed programs for the first large-scale digital computer, the Mark I, and was instrumental in the development of COBOL (Common Business Oriented Language). Legend holds that she found the first computer “bug” – a moth stuck in the contacts of a Mark II computer.
“A human must turn information into intelligence or knowledge. We've tended to forget that no computer will ever ask a new question.”
The author of several well-known books and articles dealing with computer science issues, Fred Brooks is one of the world’s leading authorities on Software Engineering. His works include “The Mythical Man-Month” and “No Silver Bullet – Essence and Accidents of Software Engineering.” He is currently the Kenan Professor of Computer Science at the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill.
“What comes out of a human imagination can be achingly beautiful or painfully ugly, deeply true or deeply false, wonderfully good or horribly evil. As Jesus said, what comes out depends upon the condition of the heart itself.”
Donald Knuth has been called by some “The Father of Modern Computer Science,” and his many accomplishments certainly justify that title. He is the author of The Art of Computer Programming, which is widely considered to be the authoritative description of classic Computer Science. He is also the creator of the TEX computer language, used in typesetting, has written Computers & Typesetting and 3:16 – Bible Texts Illuminated.
“I consider that my main goal in life is to do what God wants me to do, so I try to understand what God wants me to do. And I believe that by understanding the Bible I get very good clues about this.”