Difference between revisions of "History of Computers - Antikythera Mechanism"
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The Antikythera Mechanism was a complex calculator used to decide the exact location of the sun, moon, and several other stars, all done by turning a hand crank to a specific position. This mechanism was created somewhere between the years 150 - 100 B.C., possibly by a greek philosopher astronomer. | The Antikythera Mechanism was a complex calculator used to decide the exact location of the sun, moon, and several other stars, all done by turning a hand crank to a specific position. This mechanism was created somewhere between the years 150 - 100 B.C., possibly by a greek philosopher astronomer. | ||
| − | + | [http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/66/NAMA_Machine_d%27Anticyth%C3%A8re_1.jpg] | |
===Overview=== | ===Overview=== | ||
Revision as of 09:01, 1 September 2009
Antikythera Mechanism
The Antikythera Mechanism was a complex calculator used to decide the exact location of the sun, moon, and several other stars, all done by turning a hand crank to a specific position. This mechanism was created somewhere between the years 150 - 100 B.C., possibly by a greek philosopher astronomer.
Overview
The antikythera mechanism has somewhere between 30 and 72 gears, and is so amazing because of its minituriazation. It is based upon the geocentric model of the earth, and shows the position of other celestial bodies from earth's perspective. The mechanism is made up of 3 main dials, all of them showing a different calender or set of special dates. The antikythera mechanism also may have very well been used to calculate the date of the ancient Greek olympic games.
significance
The antikythera mechanism is know by many as the first analog computer, or mechanical computer. It is the predecessor to any mechanical computers that came after, and also many types of calendars or devices used to predict dates, times, lunar eclipses, and other astronomical events.
![[1]](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/66/NAMA_Machine_d%27Anticyth%C3%A8re_1.jpg){kind=link}