Babbage proposed the construction of the Difference Engine to the Royal Astronomical Society and the British government, arguing for its utility in creating accurate mathematical tables.

The British government granted Babbage funding to build the Difference Engine, recognizing its potential for improving navigation, scientific calculations, and other applications.

Babbage dedicated a decade to the construction of the Difference Engine, facing significant technical challenges, cost overruns, and disputes with his chief engineer, Joseph Clement. The project made slow progress.

A small section of the Difference Engine was completed, demonstrating its capabilities and impressing onlookers. However, the full machine remained unfinished.

Work on the Difference Engine was suspended due to escalating costs, technical difficulties, and disagreements between Babbage and Clement. The government became increasingly reluctant to continue funding the project.

The British government officially abandoned the Difference Engine project, concluding that it was not feasible to complete the machine with the resources available. Babbage had spent a significant amount of his own money as well.

Based on Babbage's original plans and using materials and techniques available in the 19th century, the London Science Museum built a fully functional Difference Engine No. 2. This demonstrated the theoretical soundness of Babbage's design and its feasibility with appropriate resources.