The World's Largest Computer in 1951

  • Thread starter Thread starter wolram
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Computer
Click For Summary
The discussion centers around two significant machines: the ENIAC, an early computer that was 10 feet tall, weighed 30 tons, and required 150 kilowatts of power, and the Russian Ekranoplan, a ground effect vehicle that could travel over 400 km/h and weighed 540 tons. The ENIAC utilized a vast number of electronic components but had less processing power than a modern pocket calculator. The Ekranoplan, developed by the Soviet Union, operates just above water using a shock wave principle, allowing it to travel over various terrains. The conversation also touches on trivia and historical facts about these machines, highlighting their unique engineering and capabilities. Overall, the thread showcases a blend of technical details and engaging quiz-like interactions.
  • #271
Double nope again.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #272
Danger said:
next hint: accidental best-seller
I haven't read it so, very unspecifically: the Da Vinci code?
 
  • #273
Danger said:
Sorry I didn't respond until now; I've been asleep.

Well that answers one question, at least.
 
  • #274
Nope and :-p , in that order.

one more hint, and I'm really going to work now: colours
 
  • #275
Rubik's Cube!
 
  • #276
Ok, here's one. I'm new to this thread so forgive me if I do something bad...

Clue 1:
First devised in 1941, the final product was a cylinder weighing about 4200 kg. A lot of hard work went into its design, but one of the most ingenious factors enabling its use was an incredibly simple idea.
 
  • #277
brewnog said:
Ok, here's one. I'm new to this thread so forgive me if I do something bad...

Clue 1:
First devised in 1941, the final product was a cylinder weighing about 4200 kg. A lot of hard work went into its design, but one of the most ingenious factors enabling its use was an incredibly simple idea.
Wild guess based on date and weight: nuclear reactor?
 
  • #278
Nope.

Clue 2:
I had lunch today in a building named after its inventor.

It was developed in Surrey, tested in Derbyshire, and used in Germany.

The concept was brought about in order to get over a net.
 
Last edited:
  • #279
A gun barrel?
 
  • #280
Since brewnog seems so confident I will assume that he is correct?

First devised in 1941, the final product was a cylinder weighing about 4200 kg. A lot of hard work went into its design, but one of the most ingenious factors enabling its use was an incredibly simple idea.

It seems way too heavy, but could this be the bomb designed to bounce on water? IIRC, it was devised to take out a dam.
 
Last edited:
  • #281
brewnog said:
First devised in 1941, the final product was a cylinder weighing about 4200 kg. A lot of hard work went into its design, but one of the most ingenious factors enabling its use was an incredibly simple idea.
Whittle's jet engine?
 
  • #282
Ivan Seeking said:
Since brewnog seems so confident I will assume that he is correct?

I kinda assumed I was correct too. It doesn't matter now, because...

It seems way too heavy, but could this be the bomb designed to bounce on water? IIRC, it was devised to take out a dam.

Yes! Barnes Wallis' "Bouncing Bomb", as featured in the epic film "Dambusters!".

Very well done, I thought I was going to have to use Clue 3!

Incredibly heavy devices, but I suppose you do need rather a lot of RDX to take out an entire dam. They had to bounce to get over the anti-torpedo nets which had been fitted to the reservoirs. The bombing missions were incredibly precise and difficult, - the planes had to be flying at 250mph, 400 feet from the target, before dropping the bombs. The planes had to fly at an altitude of 60 feet, no mean feat for a massive 4-engined bomber.

The simple but ingenious idea I mentioned was to combat the aircrafts' altimeter's lack of resolution at such low altitudes. A pair of spotlamps was set up on the belly of the plane, such that they focussed to produce one beam on the reservoir surface at an altitude of 60 feet.

And I had lunch in Barnes Wallis building today. :smile:
 
  • #283
brewnog said:
I kinda assumed I was correct too. It doesn't matter now, because...



Yes! Barnes Wallis' "Bouncing Bomb", as featured in the epic film "Dambusters!".
Sorry I didn't get here until now. Yes, I was referring to the original cube.
I loved 'Dambusters'. The uncle of one of my friends was on that mission. The spotlight trick was pure genius.
 
  • #284
Critical to the patent of 1884, this is only slightly more sophisticated than a spinning pie tin punched with holes.
 
  • #285
Ivan Seeking said:
Critical to the patent of 1884, this is only slightly more sophisticated than a spinning pie tin punched with holes.
The first UFO hoax-it-at-home kit.
 
  • #286
No, but as a clue, U lands right in the middle.
 
  • #287
Kinescope?
 
  • #288
Kinescope?

Nope. But oh so close...
 
  • #289
Ivan Seeking said:
Nope. But oh so close...
kinetoscope ?
 
  • #290
Painfully close but at least four years too late. If you can imagine taking an average of the last two [edit: concepts] suggestions...
 
  • #291
Kineoscope?
 
  • #292
Ivan SeekingIf you can imagine taking an average of the last two [edit: concepts said:
suggestions...
Oh well, then... that leaves only kinetscope or kineoscope. :-p
 
  • #293
There is still a more basic concept and invention involved.
 
  • #294
An airbrush!
 
  • #295
Zoetrope?...
 
  • #296
A phenakistiscope.
 
  • #297
a colorectoscope?
 
  • #298
Zoetrope

Ten years too soon. :biggrin:

We are so close, and I just tried and easily found it based on three very simple clues already given.
 
  • #299
Oh, wait, you said it has to have a U in it, then how about a thaumatrope?
 
  • #300
zoobyshoe said:
a colorectoscope?


I don't know that one. I don't think so...

another clue: camera
 

Similar threads

Is Alan Turing given too much credit when it comes to computers?
  • · Replies 29 ·
Replies
29
Views
5K
How to compute flexure and failure loads of acrylic sheets
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
15K