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.

  • #571
Mk said:
A company exports the largest percentage of beef from the U.S. It shares its name with an American supermodel, what is his father's race?
My lack of knowledge of supermodels slowed this one down considerably.

Okay, Tyson foods is the largest beef exporter, and the supermodel is Tyson Beckford, his father is Jamaican.
 
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  • #572
MOONBEAR GETS IT...again...nobody answered mine..:cry:
 
  • #573
yomamma said:
MOONBEAR GETS IT...again...nobody answered mine..:cry:
You can't post one till you guess one correctly.
 
  • #574
but nobody was posting! WHAT WAS I SUPPOSED TO DO? :cry:
 
  • #575
zoobyshoe said:
Need more clues. (Also:Did you really mean to say "his" father's race?)
I see you have a problem with typos there. Her invention might help with that. Name the invention and inventor.
 
  • #576
yomamma said:
but nobody was posting! WHAT WAS I SUPPOSED TO DO? :cry:
I authorized yomamma to ask a quetion. :smile:
 
  • #577
I already asked it:

In ---- he reached the London Regional Final of the Times crossword competition, where his score was one of the highest recorded by an American. He was a famous logicion and philosipher. Who was he?
 
  • #578
Moonbear said:
I see you have a problem with typos there. Her invention might help with that. Name the invention and inventor.
I soooo hope you're not talking about Bette Nesmith Graham's liquid paper (white out), since I used that as a clue I gave just yesterday.
 
  • #579
zoobyshoe said:
I soooo hope you're not talking about Bette Nesmith Graham's liquid paper (white out), since I used that as a clue I gave just yesterday.
Okay, yomamma's question is still up then (I missed your earlier clue...this thread is moving too fast! :eek:)
 
  • #580
Moonbear said:
Okay, yomamma's question is still up
damn' right
 
  • #581
yomamma said:
I already asked it:

In ---- he reached the London Regional Final of the Times crossword competition, where his score was one of the highest recorded by an American. He was a famous logicion and philosipher. Who was he?
Bertrand Russel 1941
 
  • #582
George Boolos
 
  • #583
zoobyshoe said:
Bertrand Russel 1941
Sorry, that's wrong his initials are GB

EDIT: moonbear got it
 
  • #584
Okay, I'm just going to check that my next one hasn't already made an appearance here before I post it...brb!

Okay kiddies, listen up! Here's the next clue:
The first model came out in turquoise and cost $15.95.
 
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  • #585
Ivan Seeking said:
Any way that you can find the answer is fair game.
Now you tell me, you reprobate! Googling, indeed!
I thought we were supposed to figure it out by ourselves.

zoobyshoe said:
This was originally called "rod wax" and was considered a nuisance till someone put it in jars and sold it.
When I first read this, my immediate thought was 'turtle wax'. Turned out I was right. :biggrin:
 
  • #586
Danger said:
When I first read this, my immediate thought was 'turtle wax'. Turned out I was right. :biggrin:
:smile: :smile: Now get googling, my question awaits! :biggrin: There's more than just the obvious clue there.
 
  • #587
need more clues!
 
  • #588
I'm sure all the necessary clues are there. :devil:

Okay, but now I think it's going to be too easy: its 40th anniversary was commemorated with a gourmet recipe book.
 
  • #589
Originally Posted by Ivan Seeking
Any way that you can find the answer is fair game.

Danger said:
Now you tell me, you reprobate! Googling, indeed!
I thought we were supposed to figure it out by ourselves.
We ARE supposed to know it ourselves. Googling is ok if you think you know the answer but need to verify.

NOT HAVING A CLUE AND GOOGLING THE HINT IS WRONG! :devil: :mad:

I'm for making this a visual clues only so no googling can be done.
 
  • #590
Evo said:
Originally Posted by Ivan Seeking
Any way that you can find the answer is fair game.

We ARE supposed to know it ourselves. Googling is ok if you think you know the answer but need to verify.

NOT HAVING A CLUE AND GOOGLING THE HINT IS WRONG! :devil: :mad:

I'm for making this a visual clues only so no googling can be done.
I didn't see any rules about not googling. I thought the idea was to try to come up with clues that can't be quickly googled to outsmart the googlers. (How many new word forms can I make up using "google?" :smile:)
 
  • #591
Evo said:
NOT HAVING A CLUE AND GOOGLING THE HINT IS WRONG!
Too late, everyone's doing it.
 
  • #592
Moonbear said:
I didn't see any rules about not googling. I thought the idea was to try to come up with clues that can't be quickly googled to outsmart the googlers. (How many new word forms can I make up using "google?" :smile:)
Gokul is against googling, I allow some googling. Gokul's right, if googling the answer is ok, it's just a "first here wins" and there's no intellectual contest. :mad: What's the point?
 
  • #593
Moonbear said:
Okay, I'm just going to check that my next one hasn't already made an appearance here before I post it...brb!

Okay kiddies, listen up! Here's the next clue:
The first model came out in turquoise and cost $15.95.
Wild guess: 1st electric stove?
 
  • #594
Evo said:
Gokul is against googling, I allow some googling. Gokul's right, if googling the answer is ok, it's just a "first here wins" and there's no intellectual contest. :mad:
Not true; googling is an art, and frequently just googling the clues doesn't get you anywhere. You have to be clever about what you punch in. Also, there is an art to giving clues that are ungooglable.
 
  • #595
zoobyshoe said:
Wild guess: 1st electric stove?
Nope, but you're warm.
 
  • #596
first model car
 
  • #597
Moonbear said:
Nope, but you're warm.
Not the "easy bake" oven is it?
 
  • #598
Evo said:
Gokul is against googling, I allow some googling. Gokul's right, if googling the answer is ok, it's just a "first here wins" and there's no intellectual contest. :mad: What's the point?
I hadn't been following this whole thread, but I just went back to the first page, and there were no anti-google rules. I think more of the challenge is in writing a good google-proof clue. :approve:
 
  • #599
zoobyshoe said:
Not the "easy bake" oven is it?
Yes, it is! :biggrin: You're up.

Edit: Here's an NPR site with two of those Easy-Bake "gourmet" recipes.
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1534572

Art Smith's Pecan Ice Box Cookies

Makes 2 dozen cookies, baked two at a time

Considering you have to bake the cookies 20 min, that's sure a devious way to keep the kids busy on a rainy weekend! :smile:
 
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  • #600
Moonbear said:
Yes, it is! :biggrin: You're up.
Boy, they were expensive. And Turquoise?


OK: 1920, invented because his wife was prone to minor accidents while cooking.
 

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