4 ms·
The first calculating machine
- utopcell 8y agoBeautiful device, but not the first calculating machine by a long shot. That would be the antikythera mechanism [1]. [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antikythera_mechanism https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antikythera_mechanism
- benbreen 8y agoI think the distinction is that Antikythera was a calendrical device, but couldn't perform multiplication/division etc of a given number like the device described here.
- cco 8y agoIf anybody is interested in the construction of this device, definitely check out ClickSpring on YouTube. He's doing a full build and also exploring techniques and materials that might have been used way back when. Just saw this device in person, it was gorgeous.
- utopcell 8y agoThese videos are fascinating! Do you mean that you saw the ClickSpring reconstruction in person, or the Antikythera mechanism at the museum of Athens ? If it is the former, how far is it from being complete ?
- cco 8y agoSorry for the confusion, I was recently in Athens and saw the Antikythera mechanism in person. That said I'd love to see ClickSpring's version in person once it's completed!
- zipwitch 8y agoFrom the same time period come the manually operated and far less complex Napier's Bones. Still pretty neat, and more likely what the 'average' person needing a calculating device would have used. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Napier%27s_bones https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Napier%27s_bones