Christie's auction and other computer history events

[Eric Smith]

Tom wrote:
> It's not true. Many acknowledged him; Americans tended not to.
> I've got a half-dozen books, pre-1960, who mention him in context.

How many pre-1950, when the early computers were being developed?
Obviously it became well-known later, or we wouldn't be talking about
it.

Anyhow, it may be that some or even many of the early computer
developers knew of Babbage, but I think it's a stretch to say
that Watson and IBM were influenced by him in any significant way
without some documentation.

Eric