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.

  • #601
zoobyshoe said:
Boy, they were expensive. And Turquoise?
The first one came out in 1963 (that explains turquoise). Yep, sounds expensive to me, even by modern standards, but they sold over 500,000 of them in the first year!


OK: 1920, invented because his wife was prone to minor accidents while cooking.
Wild guess: oven mitts?
 
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  • #602
earle dickenson, band-aid
 
  • #603
Moonbear said:
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:
The anti-google rules were discussed in another thread.

If my vast worthless wealth of knowledge means nothing, I'm not playing. :cry: It's all I have, I don't have the formal education Moonbear has. I don't know all the cool stuff she knows, but I have a ton of trivial cr@p memorized. :frown: Then someone with NO KNOWLEDGE can just type the clues into google and win without knowing anything? A POX UPON THEM! :mad:
 
  • #604
yomamma said:
earle dickenson, band-aid
Dickson, not dickenson. Yes.
 
  • #605
Evo said:
Then someone with NO KNOWLEDGE can just type the clues into google and win without knowing anything? A POX UPON THEM! :mad:
HEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHE!
 
  • #606
anyway,

Invented in 1927 to help kill mosquitoes carrying malaria during WWII.
 
  • #607
yomamma said:
anyway,

Invented in 1927 to help kill mosquitoes carrying malaria during WWII.
I actually might know this without any google aids. DEET.
Nevermind: DEET wasn't invented until the 1950s according to the site I just looked it up on. :frown:
 
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  • #608
Aaaagghh. At least try to pretend you know the answer. I can't take it. Gokul, I understand why you left. (hangs head in sorrow)
 
  • #609
yomamma said:
anyway,

Invented in 1927 to help kill mosquitoes carrying malaria during WWII.
smudge pots?
 
  • #610
no, no NO ,NO! GOOGLE [/size]
 
  • #611
Moonbear said:
I actually might know this without any google aids. DEET.
Actually, MB, I think you've discussed DEET before.

SEE. Moonbear actually KNOWS an answer!

Feels good, doesn't it??

(hopefully people will feel guilty now and poor Evo can sneek an answer in) :devil:
 
  • #612
WTF is DEET?
 
  • #613
Evo said:
Aaaagghh. At least try to pretend you know the answer. I can't take it. Gokul, I understand why you left. (hangs head in sorrow)
If you already know the answer you can type it in faster than anyone can google it. If you don't know, you're still at no more of a disadvantage than anyone else who'se googling.

The real trick is to phrase your questions so that people have to do some indirect googling.
 
  • #614
Evo said:
Actually, MB, I think you've discussed DEET before.

SEE. Moonbear actually KNOWS an answer!

Feels good, doesn't it??

(hopefully people will feel guilty now and poor Evo can sneek an answer in) :devil:
But, alas, it seems to be wrong upon attempted google confirmation. :cry:
 
  • #615
OKAY, COPY and PASTE my question into google, you'll find it
 
  • #616
yomamma said:
WTF is DEET?
Oh! Oh! I know! It's a popular mosquito repellent! My turn!
 
  • #617
no, it HELPED the mosquito reppelants. It also helps your house smell good
 
  • #618
yomamma said:
WTF is DEET?
http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/factsheets/chemicals/deet.htm
1. What is DEET?

DEET (chemical name, N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide) is the active ingredient in many insect repellent products. It is used to repel biting pests such as mosquitoes and ticks, including ticks that may carry Lyme disease. Every year, approximately one-third of the U.S. population is expected to use DEET. Products containing DEET currently are available to the public in a variety of liquids, lotions, sprays, and impregnated materials (e.g., wrist bands). Formulations registered for direct application to human skin contain from 4 to 100% DEET. Except for a few veterinary uses, DEET is registered for use by consumers, and it is not used on food.

DEET is designed for direct application to human skin to repel insects, rather than kill them. After it was developed by the U.S. Army in 1946, DEET was registered for use by the general public in 1957. Approximately 230 products containing DEET are currently registered with EPA by about 70 different companies.
 
  • #619
yomamma said:
OKAY, COPY and PASTE my question into google, you'll find it
But what's the fun in that?

(I know, I'm one of those freaks that like tests) :blushing:

Even a good guess that's wrong is better than no guess.
 
  • #620
:rolleyes: OMFG
 
  • #621
Ddt?...
 
  • #622
Maybe we should have a "google this" thread?
 
  • #623
you CAN[/size] do it :rolleyes:
 
  • #624
Even danger has shunned this thread since he realized it was a googling contest.

This thread is BELOW DANGER's STANDARDS!

You're a good person danger. :approve:
 
  • #625
Evo said:
Maybe we should have a "google this" thread?
Go back and look at the very first thing Wolram posted. Even with google, I couldn't figure out what it was.
 
  • #626
Can Can Can Can Can Can
 
  • #627
yomamma said:
Can Can Can Can Can Can
So, you're saying it's not DDT?
 
  • #628
I have no idea what DDT is, but it's probably not. aero
 
  • #629
zoobyshoe said:
Go back and look at the very first thing Wolram posted. Even with google, I couldn't figure out what it was.
That's because certain people are way above us zoobie. We will never be on their level, and we are all right with that. :smile:

I figure if I have a vague memory of the subject and need to google to confirm it, it's ok. But, I won't answer if I really have no clue.
 
  • #630
Evo said:
Even danger the bottom feeder[/color] has shunned this thread since he realized it was a googling contest.

This thread is BELOW DANGER's THE BOTTOM FEEDER'S[/color] STANDARDS!

You're a good person bottom feeder[/color] danger. :approve:
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