On 25 July 1864, London's most celebrated curmudgeon unpursed his lips for a few seconds and allowed himself a little smile. Parliament had finally given Charles Babbage what he wanted. It was more than 40 years since Babbage had begun work on a vast mechanical calculator, and still it existed only on paper and in a few experimental parts. His "analytical engine", the precursor of the programmable computer, was even further from completion. Had the government finally recognised the potential of Babbage's mathematical machines and stumped up the cash that would allow him to complete them? No. But it had passed a law that might enable him to finish the job in peace. Foryears, Babbage had waged war on the street musicians who played outside his house. The loud, discordant strains of barrel organs, bagpipes, hurdy-gurdies and brass bands, he claimed, had robbed him ofa quarter of his working life. The new law meant he could insist they go elsewhere or face arrest. Without such distractions, he would finish his engines in no time.
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