RSS for MAKE
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 world’s 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.
[via Pruned]
More:
“Various tubes, tanks, valves, pumps and sluices churned out solutions for the user….” haha, I see what you did there.
In any case, that’s pretty awesome…googling for some (hopefully) video and/or further information
Fortunately, we do not live on the Disc, and so the hydraulic computer does not accidentally magically interface with reality in order to add or remove gold from vaults.
ahh man! You beat me to it!
Pingback: El ordenador hidráulico ruso de 1936 funcionaba con agua
I saw a Phillips Machine in the science museum. It was created to simulate UK economics. If you are interested, I found a good video of a working version here:
http://www.sms.cam.ac.uk/media/1094078
I am watching this video now. I love the warning they put in it:
“Do not put 240 Volts into water. It is dangerous and could kill you.”
Pingback: Images | Pearltrees
Pingback: Anonymous
Pingback: Odd Lots – Jeff Duntemann's Contrapositive Diary
“you calculated with plumbing” – I like that expression. It’d be good if they created a working model, i.e at a science museum. It would be cool to see how it worked.
Follow MAKE
From the Maker Shed
Launch Price: $75.99
RedPark TTL iOS Cable Breakout Pack
Exclusively in the Maker Shed, this updated Redpark Breakout Pack for Arduino and iOS makes interfacing your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch with the real world easy! This bundle includes the new RedPark TTL Cable for iOS so a TTL adapter (and soldering) is no longer required.
Read More →