Charles Babbage: Reclaiming an operations management pioneer

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• Professor Michael Lewis, Bath School of Management
• Thursday 09 April 2015, 17:30-18:30
• Institute for Manufacturing, Alan Reece Building, 17 Charles Babbage Road, Cambridge CB3 0FS.

If you have a question about this talk, please contact Ella Davey.

Charles Babbage (1791–1871) was the embodiment of a polymath: elected a Royal Society fellow, holder of the Lucasian Chair of mathematics at Cambridge, founder of the London Statistical Society, author of many papers and full-length monographs and, most famously from a 21st century perspective, the architect of modern computing with his difference engines and designs for the analytical engine. The scale and complexity of these machines meant their realisation was dependent upon the latest industrial advances like parts standardization and machine tool technology. As a result Babbage committed large amounts of his time and money to the theoretical and empirical study of advanced production and engineering practice. This paper argues that Charles Babbage deserves to be recognised as a pioneer in the field of operations management. His path-breaking contributions were born of a singular intellect and degree of creativity combined with a commitment to empiricist scientific method and statistical measurement. Moreover, he was working as Britain transformed itself into the most highly industrialized country the world had ever seen. The paper draws in particular upon the various editions of his best-selling book, ‘On the Economy of Machines and Manufactures’, first published in 1832. It reviews the many core operations principles evident in Babbage’s analyses and highlights insights that remain relevant to today’s theoretical and practical concerns. The paper concludes with a discussion of how a combination of contextual and biographical factors left Charles Babbage a largely unsung pioneer in the field of operations management.

Programme 17:00 Welcome refreshments 17:30 Lecture and questions 18:30 Drinks and networking 19:00 Close

This talk is part of the Babbage Seminar Series series.

This talk is included in these lists:

• Babbage Seminar Series
• Cambridge talks
• Centre for Smart Infrastructure & Construction
• IfM Seminars
• Institute for Manufacturing, Alan Reece Building, 17 Charles Babbage Road, Cambridge CB3 0FS
• Interested Talks
• Trust & Technology Initiative - interesting events

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