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.
I'm going to have to google more about that one!
(Working from memory here.)