> -----Original Message----- > From: Tony Duell via cctalk <cctalk@classiccmp.org> > Sent: Sunday, July 21, 2024 5:42 AM > To: General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts <cctalk@classiccmp.org> > Cc: Steve Lewis <lewiss...@gmail.com>; Tony Duell > <ard.p850...@gmail.com> > Subject: [cctalk] Re: the 1968 how to build a working digital computer > > On Sun, Jul 21, 2024 at 3:08 AM Steve Lewis via cctalk <cctalk@classiccmp.org> > wrote: > > > What I meant was that in the title of the book they use "digital computer" > > and I wonder if there was ever a book describing a mechanical "analog > > computer" - and what they might even look like. > > There have been mechanical analogue computers and I have at least one book > describing them on my shelves. > > Typically they used disc integrators with an igenious arrangement of strings > and > drums as a torque amplifier. These were then coupled by gearing which had to > be set up for each problem (simple gear trains correspond to fixed gain > amplifiers, differential gear trains to differential amplfiiers, etc). > > I doubt you could make one from cardboard, but there was at least one UK > University that made a simple one from Meccano (similar to Erector Sets across > the Pond?). It was on show, not operating, in the London Science Museum at > one time, but I think it's in storage now,
Several people have made Analog Computers from Meccano. The "first" I think was at Manchester University in the UK intended as a prototype or proof of concept it was later replaced by an engineered device. Both were on display in the Science Museum but I believe they are now in Storage. Cambridge University UK also had a Meccano Analog Computer. I believe this is the one now on display at MOTAT, Aukland, New Zealand https://motat.nz/ there are some pictures of it on my one drive (if it asks you to sign in and you don't wish to use an incognito window) https://1drv.ms/f/s!Ag4BJfE5B3onlsxny71p3CPOQV4svA?e=aSdamK in more recent times Tim Robinson built one... https://www.meccano.us/differential_analyzers/robinson_da/index.html .. so there are some clues on how to do it about, but no book as far as I know > > -tony Dave G4UGM
