[DemforBush]

Mechanical computers have always fascinated me. The step-by-step explanation of how each part works in this one is pretty cool stuff, even for a non-engineering type like me.

[Steely Tom]

I love those films. Thanks so much. I’ll probably watch it a few dozen times over the next few months.

[Lurker]

Ok that’s cool.

[2ndDivisionVet]

Circa 1978 Army TACFIRE artillery computer system.

[citizen]

Bfl

[Paladin2]

"Mechanical computers" = analog?

Those puppies are darn fast.

[KarlInOhio]

Now I know what I want for Christmas.

[ProtectOurFreedom]

Thanks for posting this. My Dad worked on mechanical computers and guidance systems at GE in the 50s in upstate NY. I remember him bringing home various parts such as zero-backlash gear sets for me to play with. I think that was instrumental in me becoming a mechanical engineer.

[CodeToad]

Bump for later reading.

[Chode]

great video...

[woerm]

bump for later analog computers Rock!

[WVKayaker]

I was on the USS Perkins (DD-877), a WW2 era Destroyer, from 66-68 (3 WesPac cruises). I was a Fire Control Technician (aiming guns, not putting out fires). We had a Mark 1A computer, which linked to the gun turrets with synchros and servos. The gyro was in our space (that shiny chrome thing on the left of the photo), that leveled everything and kept a constant aim for the guns no matter how the roll and pitch on the ship. That computer never failed to amaze me with the accuracy and reliability. It was a mass of cams, gears, rollers, and other electrical connections directing impulses translated by the mechanics.

i have an iPad 1 which probably has millions more in computing power. But, we know that men went the moon on rockets designed and aimed with slide rules. Voyager (launched 1977) passed by every planet before escaping our solar system.

It's all magic. I know the science of it all, but it took some pretty smart people to imagine and assemble something as simple as a slide rule. That Mark 1A computer I used circa 1966-68 was more than Archimedes or Leonardo could cream. Now, we have the world at our fingertips and every bit of information imaginable available to our minds. BUT, I don't expect it all to continue forever.

We have a world falling apart, and society on the edge. I am a Christian and just close with "Come quickly, Lord Jesus"!

[Sequoyah101]

Thanks. I’ll watch this. I wondered how those managed to transfer the info from fire control to the buns and it was with a device called a a Synchro. It was almost like a transistor. There was a master at the fire control center and the guns pointers were slaved to the master.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Synchro

There is a very good article on 5” mounts on Wikipedia as well.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/5%22/38_caliber_gun

[Former Proud Canadian]

Great video.

As VDH says, "We stand on the shoulders of giants."

[Chainmail]

As primitive as all of this seems, they worked really well..

[Arlis]

One son is Fire Control officer in Navy, another a civil engineer, another a multi-degreed computer genius/software engineer, another a pilot working on advanced ratings and A&P license (aircraft mechanic), and another an advanced manager/electrical contractor.

All will greatly appreciate this! Thanks! As Dad was a Navy officer in WWII, wish he were here to see it too......

[beebuster2000]

insanely clever stuff. also, the degree of accuracy required in manufacturing is amazing,

USN fire control computer combined with radar was one of the key elements of succession WW2. the TDC computer on the subs was particularly cool. check out the fire control scenes in “Run Silent Run Deep”

great post, thanks

[Mike Darancette]

I had to take the whole class from Mk 1A GFCS to digital search radar. Interesting how you aim a big gun from a moving ship.

[rabidralph]

Thanks for posting. Yes, I’ll check this out later.