I am sure that everyone recognises that the computer was invented by
Charles Babbage; that George Boole also made a memorable contribution
of some sort; and that Alan Turing buried his hoard of silver
somewhere and then forgot where it was.

Could you please advise in which years these three made their marks
and also their nationality.
 
In your experience, has anyone (other than Leoardo da Vinci) tried to
make a prior claim to any of these inventions?

Sorry to be pedantic, But, didn't Babbage invent a differencing engine
and not a computer.
Regrets Kemlo

Hi, kemlo-ga:

Babbage first worked on a machine called the "Difference Engine" for
military purposes and later on one called the "Analytical Engine".

http://www.fourmilab.ch/babbage/hpb1910.html

-- mathtalk-ga

Both of which are *mechanical* computers.

PBP, I chiefly spend my weekends with my spouse, so it will be a
little bit before I get your Answer completed.

Thanks for your patience and understanding.

ace

We should not overlook the astounding discoveries of one Charles
Cabbage, a remarkable human bean:

http://www.amsta.leeds.ac.uk/~pmt6jrp/personal/cabbage.html

Along similar lines, I once gave my bicycle a touring test. It failed
miserably. Afterward the poor thing acquired some training-wheels and
gave the pathetic excuse that it should have another chance at the
test, since the first time it had been "two tired."

~Pink

Hi, Ace

No problem ... There's absolutely no rush ...

KR

B

Thanks, Pinky, you are an Absolute Gem.

Did you track down Missy's Virtual Chardonnay that I sent to Tulsa by mistake?

I do hope so ... and, if so, did you save some for Missy?

KR

Bryan

What? That virtual Chardonnay wasn't mine? I assumed it was intended
for me, since there was a note attached that said "For the most
brilliant and beautiful of all the Google Answers Researchers."

What I pity that I polished off the last bottle this morning.
Chardonnay goes very nicely with cornflakes. Unfortunately, I had to
consume my breakfast from the dog's dish on the floor, since I woke up
too hung over to walk. ;-)

Thanksh for the drinksh, probonopublican. <hic>

~Pink

Sorry, Pinky

But you should expect an irate Missy to arrive on your doorstep
shortly ... and she is not a woman whom I would dare cross.

Now, whatever you do, please don't blame me. I do assure you that it
was all the postman's fault.

If I were you, I'd go into hiding somewhere safer ...

Perhaps Baghdad? 

KR
B

Just FYI - see QID 149797 - I provided some Babbage snippets there. 
He was an *extremely* colourful character, much serenaded by street
musicians after mounting an anti-noise campaign.  He and Ada Lovelace
tried to finanve this Difference Engine with a scheme to win on the
ponies.  It ended up with the Byron family jewels being pawned more
than once, I believe.

This looks like a reasonable biography of Babbage.  I'm not sure what
my principal source was - it was some time ago that I studied him.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0691023778/qid=1049636467/sr=1-3/ref=sr_1_3/103-0489312-3918266?v=glance&s=books#product-details

Hi, Xarqi

Many thanks for the link.

I'll certainly get a copy of the book.

It looks great but I think I'll skip the ending if it made the
reviewer cry.

I don't want Daisy to see me cry.

Actually as it's 5 p.m. GMT, she's now reminding me that it's time for
her dinner ...

I wonder if you can sell dogs thru' ebay?

KR
Bryan

"On two occasions, I have been asked [by members of Parliament],
'Pray, Mr. Babbage, if you put into the machine wrong figures, will
the right answers come out?' I am not able to rightly apprehend the
kind of confusion of ideas that could provoke such a question."
-- Charles Babbage (1791-1871)

PBP,

I believe that you have an admirer.

ace

Hi, Ace

An impostor, no less.

What the L is going on?

PLEASE NOTE:

The comment made by probonopubllico (Note the two 'L's) has been
reported to the Editors.

It was certainly note made by me.

I am sorry for any offence caused.

Oh, please, PBP!

Surely you didn't think any of us were fooled by the Imposter???

YOUR comments are always sage, knowledgeable, intelligent, courteous, and charming.

ace

Gee, Ace ...

You have a knack for always saying the right thing.

KR

Bryan

Yes, I am indeed a great suck-up. ;-D