AGM and:

Talk: The Power of 3: The Story of Thomas Fowler. 1777-1843 by Pamela Vass

‘Wooden Computer Invented in North Devon.’ A startling headline for a local paper. It continued, ‘It is fascinating … to know that one of the original pioneers of the computer was a self taught bookseller and printer … who was born over 200 years ago. His name was Thomas Fowler.’ Thomas Fowler was a mathematician and engineer who invented a unique calculating machine that anticipated the computer age by more than a century. So why are so few people aware of this humble, self-taught genius from a small market town in Devon? Tragically bad fortune and prejudice dogged his footsteps and his ground-breaking work lapsed into obscurity. Until now.

This multi media presentation includes my account of Fowler’s life and work, video, illustrations and readings from original documents of the time