Posted on 04/15/2022 1:47:35 PM PDT by BenLurkin
Built some time between 200 BC and 60 BC, the Antikythera mechanism is the oldest known computer mechanism in existence. This ancient, geared device for tracking the heavens is in pretty bad shape after all that time.
But, despite the rust, researchers may have finally revealed a possible date it was first set ticking—also known as "Day Zero."
For a clock like this the calibrations would require a start date to ensure the device’s accuracy.
Recent advancements have pointed to the calibration date having been around the time the moon was in its apogee position, its furthest position in orbit from the Earth, which causes a kind of solar eclipse.
Aristeidis Voulgaris of the Thessaloniki Directorate of Culture and Tourism in Greece now supposes the calibration date was around 23 December 178 BC, backing it up with the fact that a bunch of other culturally important astronomical events happened simultaneously right just then. The winter solstice is one event that helped push the team toward their conclusion, particularly as the mechanism’s inscription mentions it specifically.
Four independent calculations have been made by other researchers, which place the device's calibration closer to 204 BC, however. These calculations relied on the period where the mechanism’s astronomical predictions were most accurate, but place the date in the summer. That potential has researchers scratching their heads over the prominence of the device’s winter solstice inscription.
Looks like there's still a way to go before researchers agree on a day zero for the Antikythera mechanism, then. Still, it's good to know this ancient precursor to modern tech isn't being forgotten about, even after all these years.
(Excerpt) Read more at pcgamer.com ...
ping
And:
Aristeidis Voulgaris of the Thessaloniki Directorate of Culture and Tourism in Greece now supposes the calibration date was around 23 December 178 BC, backing it up with the fact that a bunch of other culturally important astronomical events happened simultaneously right just then.
"Say you wanna... witness the birth of Christ..."
Why is that?
The device in question is, at best, a calculator. A slide rule computes in the sense of a calculator; but, it does not run a program. The Antikythera mechanism is like a multi-tiered circular slide rule.
It is an analog computer. It does calculations so it computes.
Personally, I have doubts about it being a clock at all. But, it’s hard to find clear images or diagrams, and the ones I have seen are pretty heavily influenced by the researcher’s assumptions, so it’s hard to say for sure.
And my opinion may be influenced by the number of times archeologists have labeled something as a “religious object” or “used to chart the course of stars” when it was actually a common crafting tool. The drop-spindles that were labelled as “Prayer Sticks” were especially amusing.
I suspect that this mechanism will eventually be identified as being essentially a complex, high-capacity spinning wheel.
“A mechanical clock is not a computer.”
Correct.
I don’t suppse you’ve ever heard of a mechanical computer.
Whatever it was, it was a pretty intricate device for 100 BC
The mechanism is not “Turing Complete”.
There is an important difference between calculator and computer.
Can you program a mechanical calculator to solve a Taylor Series, and then solve a Rubics Cube? No. A calculator performs arithmetic, it does not follow preprogrammed algorithms.
No sir, it calculates. It performs arithmetic. There must be a stored algorithm for a machine to be classified as a computer.
I am not familiar with this one. Looks rather unsavory. Could you tell me the name?
Because,
When you posted, I was over writing this post about a dream of a guy on a plane, so I didn't see yours til just now.
(Re the 358 reference.)
Watch some fantastic machining user “clickspring” builds one on youtube. He talks about the math and gearing of it all.
A character from this movie: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zTONc49V3YA
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