The World's Largest Computer in 1951

  • Thread starter Thread starter wolram
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Computer
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the ENIAC, the world's first general-purpose electronic computer, which stood 10 feet tall, occupied 1,000 square feet, and weighed approximately 30 tons. It utilized over 70,000 resistors, 10,000 capacitors, 6,000 switches, and 18,000 vacuum tubes, consuming 150 kilowatts of power. Additionally, the conversation shifts to the Russian Ekranoplan, a Ground Effect Vehicle developed by Rostislav Alekseev, which could travel over 400 km/h and weighed 540 tons fully loaded. The Ekranoplan was designed for military transport and could carry over 100 tonnes of cargo.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of electronic components such as resistors and capacitors
  • Familiarity with the concept of Ground Effect Vehicles
  • Knowledge of military transport technologies
  • Basic historical context of computing technology development
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the technical specifications and historical significance of the ENIAC
  • Explore the design and operational principles of Ground Effect Vehicles
  • Investigate the military applications of the Ekranoplan
  • Learn about the evolution of computing technology post-ENIAC
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for historians, technology enthusiasts, and engineers interested in the evolution of computing and transport technologies, particularly those focused on military applications and early electronic devices.

  • #451
brewnog said:
Danger said:
Lots of teeth, but only bites you by accident.

Moonbear?

Oh no wait, accident. Hmm...

Mantrap?

:mad: I rescind my offer of a bed for you to sleep in when you visit the U.S.!

I can think of lots of things with teeth that don't bite, but can't think of anything that bites only by accident. :rolleyes:
 
Computer science news on Phys.org
  • #452
brewnog said:
Moonbear?
I so wish that I'd thought of that before I posted the question, but I've already made up my mind what the answer is. :biggrin:
 
  • #453
Gears? ...
 
  • #454
A saw? Me?

Ok, so we know its not alive (right?), but it has somewhat a mind of its own (more like a computer), or is diffucult to control. It has teeth.
 
Last edited:
  • #455
Zoobyshoe is walking around in the beautiful Alaskan summer, when he unexpectadly steps in... a bear trap?
 
Last edited:
  • #456
I have lots of teeth and only bite myself accidentally.
 
  • #457
The human mouth. Lots of teeth, but you only bite your tounge accidentally.
 
Last edited:
  • #458
Danger, we need some feedback here...
 
  • #459
Mk said:
Danger, we need some feedback here...
Sorry. I love PF, but pool comes first. (Incidentally, we skunked them.) Anyhow, you're all off the track. You are correct that it's not alive. Parts include, but are not restricted to, hooks and hollows.
 
  • #460
Danger said:
Sorry. I love PF, but pool comes first...
Ah, zip yer pie hole...hey! That's it!


zipper
 
  • #461
Zipppeeerrrrr
 
  • #462
zoobyshoe said:
Zipppeeerrrrr
Yeah. Sorry, I was preoccupied somewhere else for a while. 'Tis indeed the old turtle choker.
 
  • #463
Patented in 1972 this was the beginning of a now ubiquitous form of entertainment.
 
  • #464
Odyssey

The game of Pong
 
  • #465
Too fast!

Yer tern.
 
  • #466
About 30 meters long and 4 meters high, and mounted on 4 wheels, this was built with the hope that the signal to noise ratio of transoceanic radio-telephones might be improved.
 
  • #467
First radio telescope?
 
  • #468
Danger said:
First radio telescope?

DARN!

:biggrin: Yerrrrrrrrr up.
 
  • #469
Ivan Seeking said:
DARN!

:biggrin: Yerrrrrrrrr up.
That was just an educated guess. Anyhow, as I just mentioned in your new thread, I severely have to hit the springs now. I've got a double shift tomorrow, and about 4 hours left to get some sleep first. Fire up another one on me. I'll sneak back into line some time tomorrow night. Give Tsu an extra one for me, and I'll see you tomorrow.
 
  • #470
It's too late for me, so the floor is open to a new question.
 
  • #471
This man's work rid us of a dangerous crank.
 
  • #472
The Wankel engine is a type of internal combustion engine, invented by Felix Wankel, which uses a rotor instead of reciprocating pistons. This design promises smooth high-rpm power from a compact, lightweight engine; however Wankels are criticized for poor fuel efficiency and exhaust emissions.

Correct? I'm not so sure about this one.
 
  • #473
No, sir. Nice guess, though.
 
  • #474
In 1903, the first U.S. patent for an automobile electric self-starter was issued to Clyde J. Coleman of New York City (No. 745,157). He invented the self-starter in 1899, but the invention was impractical.

The license was purchased by the Delco Company, which was taken over by the General Motors Corporation. Charles Kettering at General Motors modified the self-starter, and made it practical. It was first installed on Cadillac cars in 1911. By 1920, nearly every car had a self-starter.

The self-starter is a necessity for internal-combustion engines, because the Otto cycle requires the pistons already be in motion before the ignition phase of the cycle. This means that the engine must be started in motion by an outside force before it can power itself. Originally a hand crank was used to start the engine, but it was inconvenient and rather hard work to crank the engine up to speed. For the self-starter an electric motor, called a starter motor or sometimes just plain starter, is used in place of the hand crank to put the engine into motion.

I'm more sure about this one, but not positive.
 
Last edited:
  • #475
George Bush
 
  • #476
I do not riddle out, or riddle up, or riddle down, i do not riddle to the left, or to the right. But i may save your life.


What am i
 
  • #477
I'm the son of rage and love,
The Jesus of suburbia,
From the bible of "none of the above",
On a steady diet of soda pop and ritalin...

Not mushrooms, but ritalin!
 
  • #478
Shrimp is the main food source of the mostly South American and African leggy bird, but there's one species that lives in southern Europe. It has secondary wing feathers that are the same color as a hex triplet, that consists of 6 charachters, what is it?
 
Last edited:
  • #479
Greater Flamingo
#000000

my question is


I am partner's with a needle. I am on this website. and have a title
What is it?
 
Last edited:
  • #480
Thread. What was it?

Apple sells a software product that provides aadvanced digital compositing. When you add milk what do you get? You can make it in your blender, or buy it from McDonalds.

Goodnight, its 12:30 here, you'll know if you get the answer or not.
 
Last edited:

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