Which of the following was a significant early contribution to the field of computer logic?

The Analytical Engine is recognized as a significant early contribution to the field of computer logic because it was one of the first designs for a general-purpose mechanical computer. Proposed by Charles Babbage in the 1830s, the Analytical Engine introduced key concepts that are foundational to modern computing, such as the use of an arithmetic logic unit, control flow through conditionals and loops, and the capability to hold and manipulate data with memory.

Babbage's design was revolutionary, as it encompassed the idea of programmability through the use of punched cards, a technique borrowed from the Jacquard Loom, which allowed for the automatic production of patterns. The Engine was not built in his lifetime, but its conceptual framework laid the groundwork for future computing machines and logical operations that we associate with digital logic today. The historical significance of the Analytical Engine cannot be overstated as it exemplifies the transition from mechanical calculation to programmed computation.