By the Numbers!

Andrea here, musing on a question we authors get a LOT from readers—where do you get your inspiration for a story? Well, in the case of my Wrexford & Sloane Regency-set historical mystery series, the answer is science. Okay, okay, I know that doesn’t sound sexy. But . . . um, actually it is. Allow me to explain.

Think of all the techno-thrillers today—be it in books, movies, television—that are based technology and its effect on our lives. We’re all aware of what a hold technology has over us—and yes, it’s scary! Thus authors and screenwriters can use that to their advantage. But the idea of technology as both Good and Evil is nothing new. So I’ve had great fun using technology as the main plot point in my mysteries. The latest book in the series, Murder at Queen’s Landing, which releases in September, is no exception! I’ll get to that in a moment, let’s take a quick overview of the subject.

 

The Regency era is considered the the birth of the modern in so many many—art, music, literature, social idea—and of course science. Men of science (the word ‘scientist’ wasn’t coined until the 1830s) were making momentous discoveries as worked to understand how the world around them worked. Geology, chemistry astronomy, metallurgy, steam power—it was heady stuff. And they used their discoveries to invent technical innovation.

Many of the great innovations were created by engineers—the name given to those who used the new knowledge in diverse field to create mechanical devices that changed the way traditional tasks were done. (I love that the word engineering derives from the Latin ingenium, which meant cleverness.) For example, the voltaic battery, the a device capable of creating electricity was created in 1800 by Alessandro Volta. (The voltaic battery features prominently in Murder at Kensington Palace) And “Puffing Billy” the first prototype for a steam locomotive, was created by William Hedley in 1813 (Hedley and his locomotive make a cameo appearance in my upcoming release)

But one of the most fascinating discoveries that I’ve made while researching technology in the Regency era revolves around Charles Babbage and his Difference Engine and his Analytical Engine—considered the first computer!

As I said, the new ideas and new technology of the Industrial Revolution were turning the early 19th century world upside down. It was an exciting time for someone with imagination. Babbage was one of the new scientific thinkers leading the charge. His mind was constantly spinning with ideas on how to improve the ways things were done, and he used his practical skills to achieve many great accomplishments, from pioneering technical advances for lighthouse signaling to fine-tuning track designs for the first railroads. But it was in working on a way to create accurate mathematical tables that his genius really kicked into high gear.

Babbage was frustrated that many of the tables, which were calculated and typeset by hand, had so many mistakes. “I wish to God these calculations had been executed by steam,” he exclaimed to his good friend John Herschel, a famous astronomer. Herschel agreed with him that a machine would be far more accurate. So in 1821, Babbage decided to design one.

Math was hugely important in many aspects of everyday life in the 1800s. The trouble was, most of the standard printed math tables used in critical calculations were filled with errors. What Babbage was looking to create was a machine capable of crunching the numbers of complex equations like polynomials, logarithms and sines, which are all math functions that are used in such occupations as banking, insurance, ocean navigation, architecture, and military weapons technology. A section of the machine would then create a printing plate of the results, so that the accurate tables could be mass-produced. (For example, bankers use logarithms to calculate the rate of interest on an investment over a certain number of years. And rather than doing the tedious calculations by hand for all the variables, it’s far quicker and more efficient to have standard printed tables to use as a reference.)

It took six years of sketching in his notebooks (he called them his “scribbling books”) but by 1827, he had finished drawings. The design, which he named the Difference Engine, required 25,000 parts, each of which had to be specially made by hand, and the finished machine would weigh around 4 tons and stand 8’ tall x 4’ wide x 11’ long. Its ingenious system of brass rods, gears and rotating horizontal number wheels (each one was marked with the digits 0-9), allowed the Difference Engine to quickly spin through complicated math problems, once its operator had manually entered an equation to be solved and turned the hand crank. A marvel of precision engineering, it could “carry” numbers from one column to another and shift sums along the horizontal and vertical axes.
The British government was very interested in his idea because accurate math tables would be very helpful for the army, the navy and the finances of the country. They invested £17,500 in the project (which would have purchased two fully equipped battleships) allowing Babbage to hire Joseph Clement, a master toolmaker, to start making the parts.

Work progressed slowly, as it was an incredibly complicated design. But finally, in 1832, a small demonstration model was finished, and Babbage was able to show that his concept was working. However, the Engine’s development stalled in 1833 when Clement quit in a huff over money. Babbage, however, was not discouraged. He had already started working on designs for a more sophisticated Engine . . . And by this time he had teamed up with Ada Lovelace, a math genius—and the daughter of Lord Byron—to work on the complex mathematics of how such a machine could be programmed to do a variety of mind-boggling calculations.

Babbage’s machine never actually got built in his lifetime—it was far too technologically sophisticated for its time. But scientists recently built an actual model of it . . . and it worked!

I won’t give away any spoilers, but I hope you’ll find math and mechanical innovations—the inspiration for my latest plot—anything but boring in Murder at Queen’s Landing!

Do you worry about the threats from technology gone amuck? What’s your LEAST favorite piece of technology or tech innovation? (I think I’d vote to get rid of Twitter!) And lastly, do you mind science in a work of historical fiction? (Though it’s a whole genre unto itself!)

Comments

[Sue McCormick]

I don't mind science in a work of historical fiction at all! Also, I don't really feel threatened by it either. I think we learn to conquer what life throws at us.

On the other hand, I think we waste too much time on trivial inventions, instead of working toward true advancement. But i can't think of anything specific just now.

[Sue McCormick]

I forget to add that I am eagerly awaiting Murder at Queen's Landing.

[Quantum]

1) I do worry about 'technology gone amuck'. I have no fears when research scientists are discovering new phenomena or innovations, at least when they are driven by a relentless need to understand the world. However, when the results are then exploited by business for profit or politicians for economic or political gain with little understanding of future implications, then I can be fearful .... climate change is an obvious example.

2) My least favorite at present is the recent report of a space weapon being tested by Russia. Exploration of space is vital for the long term future of humanity but it is vital that we work together and not try to gain military advantages in this way.

3) I absolutely love to see science appearing in historical fiction. The thrill of discovery/understanding/invention, particularly when for a short time a scientist may be the only person on the planet with that knowledge, is very exciting! In a romance novel it could very well compliment 'romantic heat' as a source of inspiration. 😉

Fascinating article Andrea. Is the model Babbage engine available for public inspection anywhere?

[Andrea Penrose]

Sue, I love your comment about learning to conquer what life throws at us. I think we're all learning the importance of resilience these days, and also to embrace change, no matter how frightening, as a good challenge, rather than than giving into fear.

And yes, i think you're right about the trivial things. We have some really elemental problems that need all the smart minds that we can muster to address.

[Andrea Penrose]

Thank you!

[Andrea Penrose]

As always, Ouantum, such a thoughtful reply! I really do worry too about the rush to commercialize inventions before thinking through the ramifications. CRISPR, and all the gene-altering technologies, terrify. And of course, the weapons ...

I really do think science in a historical novel creates great possibilities for tension and drama, New ideas, and sometimes frightening ideas, help challenge characters, and make them face their own fears and as well as make moral judgments.

And yes! The Babbage analytical engine prototype is on display at the Science Museum in London! I saw it last time I was in the city, and it's really amazing!

https://collection.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk/objects/co62245

[Mary Jo Putney]

Great post, Andrea. I love that "engineer" comes from the Latin for cleverness, and I'm guessing that "genius" comes from the same root. Yes, science adds depth to a historical novel--and ditto on concerns with the misuse of science for profit and power.

[Eugenia Parrish]

I used to work in an engineering lab and I was told, "Engineers are basically lazy -- they're always looking for an easier way to do something."
I love learning about science or history, especially if there's a story.

[Andrea Penrose]

Glad you enjoyed it! Yes, I'm sure the word "genius" does derive from the same Latin root.

[Andrea Penrose]

Ha, ha! Eugenia. That's a fun comment. Likely true on one level. But I love how curiosity and inspiration is always making people think about how tasks can be done in a different way. As as noted—that can be both good and bad, depending on how people a concept and use it.

[Kareni]

Thanks for a fascinating post, Andrea. I will happily read a good book; I've no objection if it includes science.

Least favorite innovation? Hmm. It seems to be an unfortunate aspect of human nature that something created or harnessed for good can also be used for less than stellar purposes: nuclear power/nuclear weapons; pharmaceutical research/bio-weapons; email/scams! I'll have to ponder your question!

[Andrea Penrose]

So glad you enjoyed it, Kareni.

Alas, yes—you're so right. There are unfortunately a frightening array of powerful technologies that can be put to very destructive use in the wrong hands.

[Pat Dupuy]

I don’t see how you can leave science out of historical fiction! Picture Robert Fulton trying to sell Napoleon on a submarine to fight the British Navy. Just knowing what was happening in the scientific world adds so much to the historical aspect of a story.
As for least favorite tecnology I’d like to strangle whoever dreamed up robocalls.

[Binnie Syril Braunstein]

Fascinating post, Andrea! I do sometime worry about technology run amuck. And example would be Colossus,by Dennis Feltham Jones, Later made into a movie: Colossus, the Forbin Project. Bottom line: the computers solve the messy problems of humanity and link together to run the world. Scary. As to what technology I would eliminate - I'd stat with Twitter, Tik-Tok, and finish up with Facebook. I have enjoyed historical fiction when aspects of science or other hard sciences are interwoven into the plot. If memory serves, Jo Beverly had one of her heroes tinkering with automatons. I'm sure Mary Jo has consulted her resident engineer many times to ensure that things that go "boom" in the books are done correctly. And several of Lisa Kleypas's historicals take place within the time frame of the industrial revolution. So I welcome technology in the context of fiction - as long it's well interwoven into the plot and doesn't become a didactic treatise. Bring it on!

[Mary M.]

Science in historical fiction? Bring it on! Without some form of science, physical or social, there's little history in historical fiction. It would just be "boy meets girl, boy loses girl..." over and over. Nothing bad about that, if that's all someone's looking for in a novel, but probably a bore for the Wenches and all of us wenchlets (aka readers). When I (literally) spend my time on a book, I want to end up knowing more than I did before I opened it.

As for modern technology, I love much of what it can do for us (ebooks, I'm looking straight at you). But it's certainly letting the world go to you-know-where at an accelerating pace (aargh, who let social media in???). It's always been the best of times and worst of times somewhere--but now it seems to be everywhere at once, with science at the heart of everything. "Interesting times," as the purported old Chinese curse projects.

And so just right for a time trip to the Regency and Victorian eras, where so much was new and fresh and exciting. Yes, bring it on.

[Quantum]

Thanks for the link to the science museum Andrea. I was last there several decades ago when I remember admiring the Babbage engine. I asked if it could multiply some numbers for me but was told that it wasn't actually working. Your comment made me wonder whether a working model was now on view. Incredible feat of engineering!

[Andrea Penrose]

Ahhh. I didn't ask them to run it! (I should have!) I've read that the scientists who constructed it did put it through its paces and it worked. It would be wonderful to see it in action.

To my knowledge, there's no place where one can ask to see it run. Maybe we should ask the science Museum to post a video. I bet people would love to see it in action.

[Andrea Penrose]

Pat, you're so right that historical fiction has so many scientific threads to weave into plots. The Fulton example is a great one!

And yes, the people who invented robo-calls should be thrown in a circle of Hell where they have to listen to robocalls for all eternity!

[Andrea Penrose]

Binnie, so glad you enjoyed the post.

Artificial intelligence, is hugely scary. I really do worry about the future of the world with technology running amuck.

I agree with with perils of social media. it's time to put some restraints on that!

Mary Jo definitely enjoys technology when it can go BOOM!

[Andrea Penrose]

Mary, I'm with you in that I always love learning something new about an era when I read historical fiction. It just makes a story richer when there are layers of texture that make a time period come alive.

Technology has always been a balance between good and bad. It all depends on who is wielding it!

[Sue McCormick]

Well the answer to fictional doom in the shape of Colossus (and similar novels) came in Asimov's Robotic rules (although a completely different author pointed out that Asimov's robots would become psychotic!). And I am not intending to state Cause and effect between Colossus and Asimov.

[Annette N]

Technology allowed me to meet the Word Wenches. Technology allows me to ask questions and find answers, and for me that is huge.

I enjoy historical fiction. For me, if the author is kind enough to add texture and atmosphere, I enjoy the fiction even more. So, science and timely technology added into the mix is a good addition as far as I am concerned.

There are times when I am not happy with technology but most of the time, I simply take advantage of the services it provides for me.

[LilMissMolly]

Enjoyed your post! I do not worry about threats from technology much and I really enjoy historical fiction that features some sort of innovation. My least favorite piece of tech innovation is cloning, if that counts. It gives me the creeps to think about how animals and even humans can be cloned now. How is that progressive or even ethical?

[Teresa Broderick]

Great post Andrea and I can't WAIT for the new book. Been too long since I spent time with Wrexford and Sloane.
I often think it must have been thrilling back in time when they invented something new or made a new discovery. Imagine being around when the telephone was invented or even the steam engine!! They had so little to work with compared to now.
I find nowadays when something new is invented, it's a nine day wonder (sometimes even less) and then they can't wait to get on to the next thing. The romance, if you like and the glamour is gone out of it. We're moving much too fast.

[Christina Courtenay]

Fascinating post, Andrea! I think Teresa is right and it must have been so exciting to be around when technology was really starting to take off with steam engines etc. And I think about my grandmother - during her lifetime things like cars, planes, telephone and computers were all invented, but didn't exist when she was a child. Such huge steps during just one person's life! And it's kind of snowballed from there. My kids can't believe we only had one tv channel to watch when I was little - they make me feel like a dinosaur!

[Andrea Penrose]

A good point, Annette! And we love that technology allows us to connect to so many readers and create our Wench community!
As many of the other comments have mentioned, there's no inherent evil in tech–it's how it's misused by people that r creates problems.

[Andrea Penrose]

I agree with you on cloning! Gene editing gives me the creeps, too.

[Andrea Penrose]

So glad you enjoyed the post, Christina!

Teresa really does make a good point about the sense of wonder and awe surrounding some of the early technology that revolutionized society. These days, changes happen so fast! Kids today simply can't conceive a world without smartphones and instant connection with friends, news, social media, etc. They don't realize that's still so relatively new.