The World's Largest Computer in 1951

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around historical and technical aspects of significant machines and vehicles, including the ENIAC computer and the Russian Ekranoplan. Participants engage in a quiz-like format, posing questions and providing hints about various inventions, their specifications, and historical context.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant describes the ENIAC, detailing its size, weight, components, and power consumption, while noting its limited processing power compared to modern devices.
  • Another participant identifies the ENIAC as the machine described in the previous post.
  • Participants discuss a large vehicle that weighs 540 tons, can travel over land and water, and is hinted to be built in Russia, leading to speculation about its identity.
  • Some participants propose that the vehicle in question is the Russian Ekranoplan, explaining its design and operational principles related to ground effect.
  • There is a discussion about a vehicle that achieved over 188 miles per gallon, with participants speculating on its type and historical significance, including a mention of a Harley Davidson motorcycle from 1908.
  • One participant describes a crude device involving a wooden stand, a funnel, acid, and copper wire, prompting further questions about its purpose.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the identity of some machines, particularly the vehicle that achieved high fuel efficiency, as various guesses and clarifications are made. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the specifics of some inventions and their historical context.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty about the specifications and classifications of the vehicles discussed, particularly regarding the Ekranoplan's operational capabilities and the fuel efficiency claims of the motorcycle.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in the history of computing, engineering innovations, and the evolution of vehicle technology may find this discussion engaging.

  • #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:
 
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  • #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.
 
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  • #455
Zoobyshoe is walking around in the beautiful Alaskan summer, when he unexpectadly steps in... a bear trap?
 
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  • #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.
 
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  • #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.
 
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  • #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?
 
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  • #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?
 
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  • #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.
 
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