Posted on 01/25/2012 7:50:42 AM PST by fishtank
In the heyday of analog computing, Vladimir Lukyanov designed an advanced computer that used water as the storage media. Various tubes, tanks, valves, pumps and sluices churned out solutions for the user based on variables such as changing tax rates or increasing money supply. From the Russian magazine Science and Life:
Built in 1936, this machine was the worlds first computer for solving [partial] differential equations, which for half a century has been the only means of calculations of a wide range of problems in mathematical physics. Absolutely its most amazing aspect is that solving such complex mathematical equations meant playing around with a series of interconnected, water-filled glass tubes. You calculated with plumbing.
so, instead of running defrag I suppose you flush it?
***Only during the summer. The system locked up from December to March.***
In the winter they would just replace the water with Vodka. Then throw a party when the weather warmed up again! ;-)
This is the 1924 one in Bidston (near Liverpool) that did the tidal charts for the English Admiralty until the 60’s.
I like the walnut, glass and brass look.
Yeah! An for the multiplication function, it releases Guppies into a tank!
And for Subtraction, you add an Angelfish?
That is really cool. I’d love to see it in action.
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