UCLA’s 1948 Mechanical Computer [video]
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vimeo.com
U.S. NAVY BASIC MECHANISMS OF FIRE CONTROL COMPUTERS MECHANICAL COMPUTER INSTRUCTIONAL FILM 27794 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gwf5mAlI7Ug
That UCLA differential analyzer from 1947 was the peak of that technology. Earlier ones in the US go back to 1928. Wikipedia says UCLA had three of those. Probably for the Southern California aircraft industry.
That was near the end of the line for the pure mechanical analog computers. Even the gun and missile guidance systems had electrical inputs and outputs. 1947 was late to be building that, but it was a mature technology and worked, although, as shown, a huge pain to reprogram. Mechanical fire control systems had one built-in problem to solve, so they didn't have to be set up as a parts kit like this.
I prefer "Los-an-ju-leez," as that was a common style among radio announcers. But all three are officially correct, according to an LA Times article I read years ago.
Also, if you're into this sort of thing here's the first in a seven video series on a very different mechanical computer - Albert Michelson's Harmonic Analyzer which does Fourier Analysis: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NAsM30MAHLg
I wonder what could be done to bring back that type of mass amazement and excitement towards technology?
When I think of the future I'm blown away by the possibilities of CRISPER, 3d printing, energy storage, block chains, driver-less cars, UBI, space exploration and more. We are advancing so quickly on so many fronts, and yet most people are indifferent or down right hostile toward it.
Maybe you couldn't repair the switch, potentiometer or the valve, but you could nearly always buy a standard replacement. From just about any suitable shop. Chances are the same switches and valves were used in dozens of products and makes, and there would be third party alternatives - cheaper with shorter life. Sure, there were a few uncommon specialist tubes in some things, but they were hugely outnumbered by standard components.
Now everything is specific and moulded to fit just one product. You try to buy a Sony XYZ1244/a switch, and find Sony don't make that part available, and it's custom moulded to only fit that one particular product. Maybe you can buy a switch as part of the whole control module that includes it, and a bunch of custom ICs at £99. Or maybe not as you're not an approved Sony repair shop.
The US in the 50's and early 60's was definitely optimistic - everything is getting better soon because <nuclear|space|laser>
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/20140924171143-103827-zero-to...
That's why all the 50s and 60s stuff is so breathlessly unconditionally optimistic, and subsequent material has switched to skepticism.
People have become used to "new technology announcement === a few years later we're going to hear about the terrible downside, while the originators lied about all the safety risks". Driverless cars are absolutely in the middle of that at the moment. Vaping is currently experiencing a safety backlash.
"'Once the rockets go up, who cares where they come down? That's not my department,' says Wernher von Braun."
that talks about a similar computer at MIT. I find all the pre transistor computation really interesting. Shannon was doing some really early work on what was, at the time, thought of as AI. Putting a mouse through a maze with movable walls. All with just circuits, no CPU. The circuits were not fixed, they had some branching based on phone switch tech (IIRC).