What was the name of the machine created by Charles Babbage designed to calculate values in a table?

The machine designed by Charles Babbage to calculate values in a table is known as the Difference Engine. This innovative device was specifically created to automate the process of calculating polynomial functions and was focused on producing a series of mathematical tables. The Difference Engine used the method of finite differences, which allowed it to calculate values of functions without requiring direct multiplication or division.

Babbage's design was significant because it foresaw the potential of mechanical computation and laid the groundwork for future computing devices. The Difference Engine was meant to eliminate human error in the production of mathematical tables, which were essential for navigation, engineering, and other fields requiring precise calculations at that time.

In the context of early computing history, the Difference Engine is often celebrated as one of the first concepts of a computing machine, emphasizing its role in the evolution of technology and computation.