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.

  • #1,141
The Charcoal Briquette?
 
Computer science news on Phys.org
  • #1,142
No to dishes, napkins and charcoal.

Oh, and I have given you a further clue...you might have overlooked it before. :wink:
 
  • #1,143
The "Kiss the Cook" apron?! :-p
 
  • #1,144
honestrosewater said:
The "Kiss the Cook" apron?! :-p
I like that answer, but no, that's not it. Okay, here's another clue. When you sit around with your buddies playing poker, you might use it then as well.
 
  • #1,145
A folding table?
 
  • #1,146
A meat thermometer? :smile: :smile: Now that I see your new clue, this is very funny. I don't think I want to play poker with a meat thermometer.
 
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  • #1,147
what is it?
 
  • #1,148
Glass bottle packaging?
 
  • #1,149
yomamma said:
what is it?
Gee, why didn't I think of that. :-p
 
  • #1,150
Nobody has guessed it yet. One of the guesses is getting pretty close though (but I'm not telling you whose). :biggrin:
 
  • #1,151
Wow, I was sure it was the folding table. I guessed canned beer, but that wasn't until later, and you said it wasn't food. I hope the meat thermometer wasn't close.
 
  • #1,152
Oh, folding chairs!? Brody & Surgwar, June 11, 1889. :biggrin:

If that's it, TheStatutoryApe can have my turn if you want it.
 
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  • #1,153
a skyewer?
 
  • #1,154
The disposable paper plate.
 
  • #1,155
zoobyshoe said:
The disposable paper plate.
Guessed already.
 
  • #1,156
honestrosewater said:
Oh, folding chairs!? Brody & Surgwar, June 11, 1889. :biggrin:

If that's it, TheStatutoryApe can have my turn if you want it.
That's it! Bravo!
 
  • #1,157
it has to be a skewer... poke[/color]er

edit: nvm
 
  • #1,158
honestrosewater said:
Oh, folding chairs!? Brody & Surgwar, June 11, 1889. :biggrin:

If that's it, TheStatutoryApe can have my turn if you want it.
Oh wow. I tried that and didn't find it.
You can go ahead, are you logging off or something?
 
  • #1,159
honestrosewater said:
I hope the meat thermometer wasn't close.
It wasn't, but I was having a good laugh thinking about what new meaning it brought to the game "poker." :smile:
 
  • #1,160
TheStatutoryApe said:
Oh wow. I tried that and didn't find it.
You can go ahead, are you logging off or something?
No, but your guess gave me the idea. If you don't want it, I did just think of a clue.

It has four legs and is as tall as it is wide.
 
  • #1,161
honestrosewater said:
It has four legs and is as tall as it is wide.
Hmmmm... is it a living thing? Lol... can we change this to twenty questions?! :-p
 
  • #1,162
micheal moore?
 
  • #1,163
Eek, a clue already? You don't really need one; You only need to think inside of the box on this one. :wink:
 
  • #1,164
honestrosewater said:
Eek, a clue already? You don't really need one; You only need to think inside of the box on this one. :wink:
Is it a square?
 
  • #1,165
It was a square. How did it get legs?
 
  • #1,166
it had birth defects
 
  • #1,167
it needed to square dance?
 
  • #1,168
Okay, I'm leaving now and don't want to hold things up. It's a square cut on the diagonal, the legs being the legs of the right triangles. I guess TheStatutoryApe is up. Have fun!
 
  • #1,169
:mad: that was a trick-ish question
 
  • #1,170
Sorry, I'm getting impatient. Seems I'm on an odd sleep cycle with everyone else in this forum. Let's just remember that statutoryApe is up, but in the meantime, here's a googleable one:

Kahiltna
Muldrow
Ruth
 

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