Final answer:
Charles Babbage is considered the father of the computer due to his concept of the Analytical Engine, which laid the foundation for modern digital computers.
Step-by-step explanation:
Charles Babbage is widely regarded as the father of the computer for his contributions to the basic design of the computer through his concept of a programmable machine. Babbage devised the plans for the Analytical Engine, a mechanical computer that used gears and levers to perform calculations. Although this machine was never completed due to technological limitations of the time, Babbage's ideas laid the groundwork for the digital computers we use today, which can perform complex computations and are essential for a wide range of applications including communication, data storage, and internet connectivity.