Mechanical Computers

[fuzeman]

I'm a silly guy, I grew up in the silicone age. Thus I have a tendency to stare at Spikes avatar and I generally understand the workings of silicone wafers and chips.
I've heard about mechanical computers for a while and never really delved into seeing how they work. One night when unable to sleep; part one of these two videos came up and it fascinated me with the inner workings of a mechanical computer. Thought I'd pass it along.
Relevance- These type of computers were used to calculate trajectories for naval guns, range and bearing, and also when to fire, accounting for the roll of the ship.

[SIM]

That fire control gear worked when the digital gear broke down.

Ive worked both in the fire control room and on the units in the mounts. It was MUCH easier in the control room.

What amazed me was the engineering that went into developing those units. A receiver/regulator was the unit that controlled remote movement of a 5 inch gun mount. Working on one was a very ineteresting affair and it NEVER went according to any sort of a pre-work plan.

[fuzeman]

According to Ryan C. from ‘Battleship New Jersey’ on YT, when she was brought out of mothballs for duty off Vietnam they considered going digital but it would have been no better than the mechanical system (fwiw).

[Rolex]

As a Mechanical Engineer (and man of silicon  ), I'm as fascinated as you. It's always amazing that people can be so clever and inventive, but others in the species can be so, uh, dumb?

[Karnak]

Difference Engine #2:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XSkGY6LchJs

[Wildin]

Here is an early one, 2000+ years ago.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iv-zWbxm2lY

[oboe]

Here is an early one, 2000+ years ago.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iv-zWbxm2lY

Thanks for that link, Wildin - that was absolutely fascinating.

[Slate]

According to Ryan C. from ‘Battleship New Jersey’ on YT, when she was brought out of mothballs for duty off Vietnam they considered going digital but it would have been no better than the mechanical system (fwiw).

   I've toured the USS NJ and you can go inside the rear 16" turret. Quite a Mechanized wonder including the shell conveyor system. They did refit the NJ over the years with newer anti aircraft guns (Phalanx system) and missile batteries.
   When her guns fired on Lebanon in 1983 they were badly inaccurate from some poorly mixed powder bags.

[Bizman]

Here is an early one, 2000+ years ago.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iv-zWbxm2lY

I wonder how well that would've run AH. If the graphics and flight model were realistic etc., you know...

[Wildin]

I wonder how well that would've run AH. If the graphics and flight model were realistic etc., you know...

Just add more gears and fix the wing melting problem.

[mechanic]

What is also interesting to me is the absolute divide in history between those who have experienced the advent of computers in our society and those who will forever take them as a normality that always existed.

[Slate]

What is also interesting to me is the absolute divide in history between those who have experienced the advent of computers in our society and those who will forever take them as a normality that always existed.

   I remember trying to get my wife to do basic things on the computer, but now she goes from that to phone to tablet. We want to take our nephews on a camping trip and the first question? Is there WIFI?  AAAuuuuGGGGhhhh!

   How lucky we were growing up with less distraction, you wanted to talk to a friend you went by his house.