The Thrilling Adventures of Lovelace and Babbage: The (Mostly) True Story of the First Computer

Lord Byron’s daughter Ada Lovelace was, according to some, instrumental in creating the blueprint for the first computer in collaboration with Charles Babbage. Unfortunately, both Lovelace and Babbage died before their proposed Analytical Engine became a reality. Here is the imagined world where they lived to build their fabled machine–and use it to fight crime. Filled with the “spirit of genuine inventiveness” (Publisher’s Weekly) Padua’s expertly researched webcomic-turned-graphic novel sheds light on the contributions of two mostly-obscure historical figures. She will share the inspirations behind her work and offer a glimpse at the Lovelace/Babbage world she created.

Speaker Details

Sydney Padua is a graphic artist, animator and the author of the Steampunk webcomic 2d goggles. Her visual effects work includes both hand-drawn and computer-generated and has appeared in such films as The Iron Giant, Clash of the Titans, and John Carter. The Thrilling Adventures of Lovelace and Babbage has been featured on the BBC’s Techlab, and in The Economist, The Times, and Wired UK. Sydney is a Canadian living in London.

Date:
Speakers:
Sydney Padua
Affiliation:
Pantheon Books

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