On Fri, Feb 27, 2009 at 1:58 PM, John Randall <[email protected]> wrote: > Food for thought on notational innovation: > > Babbage was particularly proud of his Mechanical Notation--a method of > describing the complex motions of large numbers of interconnected > parts. The Notation was a symbolic shorthand to describe combinations > of parts too complicated to visualize all at once. It was used both to > describe and optimize his designs....He himself used the Notation a > great deal and constantly refined it. But for all his pride in its > invention, it was largely ignored.
Which makes me curious about this notation. If I were to compare his particular notation with others, what advantages would which each have? Also, is there anything like a dictionary of mechanical notation? Some kind of reference work aimed at thoroughly describing it? I put a very small amount of effort into finding about this system of notation, and my current impression is that his system of notation was targeted at describing the timing requirements for adding machines in the context of mechanical drawings. But maybe I have been too hasty? Thanks, -- Raul ---------------------------------------------------------------------- For information about J forums see http://www.jsoftware.com/forums.htm
