This post is quite different from my usual and departs from the totally original material typically presented. This is due to the fact that sometimes I find something really interesting and want to share it with my readers.
The idea of mechanical computers has been around for a long time. For example, in 1822 Charles Babbage designed the difference engine to make mathematical computations with gears, shafts, and other mechanical parts. The relationship of moving mechanics to solve math problems seems reasonable and even a good idea. But, finding a really good depiction of how it can be done and more importantly how it can be used in the real world is harder to find.
The problem the Navy was illustrating here is the complex task of firing a big gun from a battleship at a moving target when both are moving. There is not only lateral movement, but also pitch and yaw. Not an easy problem at all!
In this film, not a video, they break down the shaft, gear, cam, cam followers, and associated configurations such as the rack and pinion to show how a mechanical computer works. They show how the movement of mechanics relate to the mathematical translations in a very effective way. The graphics are clear and sharp with really good explanations. It is 45 minutes long but worth every minute of the time spent viewing.
I guess that anyone who was forecasting trends in 1953 would have seen the coming of the electronic computers as the transistor was then being fully developed. But for the time, this film is excellent. Enjoy and comment... USNAVY.
The idea of mechanical computers has been around for a long time. For example, in 1822 Charles Babbage designed the difference engine to make mathematical computations with gears, shafts, and other mechanical parts. The relationship of moving mechanics to solve math problems seems reasonable and even a good idea. But, finding a really good depiction of how it can be done and more importantly how it can be used in the real world is harder to find.
The problem the Navy was illustrating here is the complex task of firing a big gun from a battleship at a moving target when both are moving. There is not only lateral movement, but also pitch and yaw. Not an easy problem at all!
In this film, not a video, they break down the shaft, gear, cam, cam followers, and associated configurations such as the rack and pinion to show how a mechanical computer works. They show how the movement of mechanics relate to the mathematical translations in a very effective way. The graphics are clear and sharp with really good explanations. It is 45 minutes long but worth every minute of the time spent viewing.
I guess that anyone who was forecasting trends in 1953 would have seen the coming of the electronic computers as the transistor was then being fully developed. But for the time, this film is excellent. Enjoy and comment... USNAVY.
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