History of Computers - Zhang Heng’s Seismometer
Contents
Intro
A seismometer is an instrument which senses the movements of the ground. [1] Zhang Heng was able to create a working seismometer, which measured movements in the ground due to earthquakes in the year 132 CE. [2]
Overview
The base of the instrument is almost six feet in diameter with evenly spaced toads, ready to receive a ball from the mouth of a dragon, that indicate the direction of the earthquake. [4] The machine works through the use of a pendulum. When an earthquake happens, the seismic waves start the pendulum which then moves a lever, pushing the ball from the dragon’s mouth into the toad facing the direction of the earthquake. [2] One day in the year 138, the seismometer detected an earthquake far away; however, the people doubted that an earthquake had actually happened but a few days later a messenger came from that region and reported that there was, indeed, an earthquake. [4]
Significance
This seismometer is important because it is an early form of one of the most prevalent uses of computers today, detecting earthquakes. It also gives an example of how far we have come in the development of technology.
Links
http://hua.umf.maine.edu/China/astronomy/tianpage/0012ZhangHeng6539w.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seismometer
https://www.theepochtimes.com/zhang-heng-great-chinese-inventor_169000.html?photo=2
References
- ↑ Dictionary Definition of Seismometer From Merriam Webster (Accessed 9/14/18).
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 University of Maine at Farmington on Zhang Heng (Accessed 9/14/18).
- ↑ Picture of Zhang Heng's Seismometer.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 The Epoch Times on Zheng Heng's Seismometer (Accessed 9/14/18).
By James Redding
