Building the world's 'first' computer

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/08/science/computer-experts-building-1830s-babbage-analytical-engine.html?_r=2&scp=2&sq=John%20Markoff&st=cse


This sounds so cool!  I think they ought to make it one of those contest between grad schools at MIT and Cal Tech to see who can come up with the most accurate and interesting version in a semester or two.

(Thanks for the link, Rick!)