I've completed this wonderfully creative and surprisingly educational graphic novel. Padua combines meticulous historical research with wild imagination, creating an alternate history where two pioneering computer scientists get to fulfill their computational dreams—and then some.
Themes I Noticed
The Intersection of Art and Science
- Mathematics as creative expression
- How technical innovation requires imagination
- The beauty inherent in logical systems
Historical What-Ifs
- Exploring roads not taken in technological development
- How different choices might have altered history
- The tension between historical accuracy and creative freedom
Recognition and Legacy
- Celebrating overlooked pioneers, especially women in STEM
- How history remembers (or forgets) contributions
- The importance of giving credit where it's due
What Makes It Special
Padua's artwork brilliantly captures Victorian aesthetics while the extensive footnotes provide genuine historical context—making this both entertaining and educational. The book celebrates Lovelace and Babbage's actual achievements while playfully imagining what might have been if Babbage's Difference Engine had been completed. The humor ranges from slapstick adventure to clever mathematical jokes, making complex concepts accessible without dumbing them down.
The graphic novel format allows Padua to visualize abstract mathematical concepts in creative ways, while the alternate-reality framing device gives these historical figures the recognition and adventure they deserve. It's both a love letter to the history of computing and a testament to the power of imagination in understanding the past.