The Antikythera mechanism is a mechanical computer thought to have been built around 150BC or slightly later. It accurately predicts a range of astronomical phenomena such as eclipses. Mechanically it is more than a thousand years ahead of it's time. Which makes me think yet again where would be we technologically today if not for the decent into religious fundamentalism of the dark ages.
Some cleaver bunny has built it out of lego:
(p.s. I'd put $100 bucks on it that it was built by a bloke, a chick would-never be gh33ky enough to do this)
Friday, December 10, 2010
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2 comments:
My very first computer was an analog for naval gunfire control, the MK IA. Technical Manual. It sort of sounded like a washing machine.
Very interesting Stephen, I had never heard of this device before. Makes one wonder what minds came up with the design...
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