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World's First Computer Rebuilt, Rebooted After 2,000 Years

Posted December 17, 2008 8:57 AM

From Wired: Top Stories:

A British museum curator has built a working replica of a 2,000-year-old Greek machine that has been called the world's first computer. A dictionary-size assemblage of 37 interlocking dials crafted with the precision and complexity of a 19th-century Swiss clock, the Antikythera mechanism was used for modeling and predicting the movements of the heavenly bodies as well as the dates and locations of upcoming Olympic games.

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user-deleted-1105
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#1

Re: World's First Computer Rebuilt, Rebooted After 2,000 Years

12/17/2008 10:59 AM

Excellent.. I wonder if it has little brass pop ups that appear out the top.

Del

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3Doug
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#2
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Re: World's First Computer Rebuilt, Rebooted After 2,000 Years

12/17/2008 7:01 PM

Don't be silly, Del. Gates and Co. haven't touched it yet!

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mircoconsultant
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#3

Re: World's First Computer Rebuilt, Rebooted After 2,000 Years

12/18/2008 9:11 AM

That device is amazing! I wish I had a 3D CAD model of the device.

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#4

Re: World's First Computer Rebuilt, Rebooted After 2,000 Years

12/18/2008 3:06 PM

As CharlieM was saying, you can do most things better in hardware than software

and it doesn't even have to be digital..

http://cr4.globalspec.com/thread/30576?frmtrk=cr4sd#newcomments

chris
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#5
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Re: World's First Computer Rebuilt, Rebooted After 2,000 Years

12/18/2008 3:46 PM

It most certainly is digital!
I can se the fingers pointing to the markings...

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#6
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Re: World's First Computer Rebuilt, Rebooted After 2,000 Years

12/18/2008 4:14 PM

antikythera, in translation from ancient greek

anti = no

kyt = cats

hera = here!
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Re: World's First Computer Rebuilt, Rebooted After 2,000 Years

12/19/2008 5:48 AM

RAOFPMSL...

Brilliant

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#8

Re: World's First Computer Rebuilt, Rebooted After 2,000 Years

12/19/2008 3:13 PM

Hi,

I have two aged scientific publications on this mechnaism.

Unfortunately buried somewhere deeply between other copies.

If anybody wants to know the titles I would take the time to search.

RHABE
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#9
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Re: World's First Computer Rebuilt, Rebooted After 2,000 Years

12/19/2008 3:23 PM

I'm interested... I think this mechanism must be older than 2000 years. that was just when it was lost... I wonder what else is on that boat? Does this seem like a maritime instrument to you? I am most certainly interested to know more.
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#10

Re: World's First Computer Rebuilt, Rebooted After 2,000 Years

12/19/2008 4:18 PM

I saw a Discovery Channel show about this device. I didn't know it had been rebuilt. I want one, programmed with my work schedule's, birthdays, times to de-flee the dogs, change my oil, when the Pat's and the Red Sox play, etc...and, oh ya, when to change my underware...

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