The World's Largest Computer in 1951

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The discussion centers around two significant machines: the ENIAC, an early computer that was 10 feet tall, weighed 30 tons, and required 150 kilowatts of power, and the Russian Ekranoplan, a ground effect vehicle that could travel over 400 km/h and weighed 540 tons. The ENIAC utilized a vast number of electronic components but had less processing power than a modern pocket calculator. The Ekranoplan, developed by the Soviet Union, operates just above water using a shock wave principle, allowing it to travel over various terrains. The conversation also touches on trivia and historical facts about these machines, highlighting their unique engineering and capabilities. Overall, the thread showcases a blend of technical details and engaging quiz-like interactions.
  • #1,901
Clue me man!
 
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  • #1,902
it is a blood sucker, not, the middle sounds like dentistry, the last is hellish.
 
  • #1,903
Hypoxia and aspic?
 
  • #1,904
I meant a new clue! I think I'm a bit out of the loop on this one.
 
  • #1,905
Look in wiki for hypoxia, then find a link to aspic, then what is a blood sucker,
and the sounds like dentisry thing. then the hellish bit.
 
  • #1,906
Well I know what hypoxia and aspic are, and I have a fair idea of a blood sucker. Then I get stuck.
 
  • #1,907
brewnog said:
Well I know what hypoxia and aspic are, and I have a fair idea of a blood sucker. Then I get stuck.

A creature that needs very little oxygen.
 
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  • #1,908
It is not jelly, but close.
 
  • #1,909
A jellyfish? I have no idea.
 
  • #1,910
brewnog said:
A jellyfish? I have no idea.

If i gave you fithty quids, i bet you would spend it on beer.
 
  • #1,911
Gelatin?!
 
  • #1,912
brewnog said:
Gelatin?!

No it is a creature, that needs little oxygen, has a jelly like structure, it even
has a defensive luminescent arsenal.
 
  • #1,913
wolram said:
No it is a creature, that needs little oxygen, has a jelly like structure, it even
has a defensive luminescent arsenal.
On this clue, I'll guess sea anemone. But I'm not sure about the other clues yet...
 
  • #1,914
I'm guessing squid. If it's right, somebody else go. I have to leave for work now. Won't be back until after midnight.
 
  • #1,915
Danger said:
I'm guessing squid. If it's right, somebody else go. I have to leave for work now. Won't be back until after midnight.

It is a squid but a very special one, keep going.
 
  • #1,916
Vampyroteuthis infernalis.

And I hear it has a wicked butt. :-p
 
  • #1,917
honestrosewater said:
Vampyroteuthis infernalis.

And I hear it has a wicked butt. :-p

Right on babe, you are a one :devil:
 
  • #1,918
wolram said:
Right on babe, you are a one :devil:
Well, your clue was the dog's bollocks. :smile: Yeah, I don't really understand that expression. But on with the show...

This lone star ring was killed by the big C.
 
  • #1,919
honestrosewater said:
Well, your clue was the dog's bollocks. :smile: Yeah, I don't really understand that expression. But on with the show...

This lone star ring was killed by the big C.

HMMM, something about Texas? Rose, dogs bollocks are rough english slang
meaning the best.
 
  • #1,920
wolram said:
HMMM, something about Texas?
Spot on.

Rose, dogs bollocks are rough english slang
meaning the best.
Yeah, what I don't understand is, well, have you ever seen a dog's bollocks? :confused:
 
  • #1,921
honestrosewater said:
Spot on.

Yeah, what I don't understand is, well, have you ever seen a dog's bollocks? :confused:


:smile: :smile: Every day, benji loves to lay on the sofa, with legs splayed
apart.
 
  • #1,922
Texas, famous for horses, music?
 
  • #1,923
This was a very expensive ring.
 
  • #1,924
Texas has gambling, so a massive win that broke the bank?
 
  • #1,925
The new super-collider that Congress yanked the funding on?
 
  • #1,926
Sorry, had computer problems yesterday.
Danger said:
The new super-collider that Congress yanked the funding on?
Bingo. The Superconducting Super Collider. A ring particle accelerator, to be built in Texas, Congress was the big C, ~$8.25 billion is very expensive in my book. :biggrin:
 
  • #1,927
Danger said:
The new super-collider that Congress yanked the funding on?

Im beginning to think your quite bright, anyhows, jolly good show old boy.
 
  • #1,928
wolram said:
Im beginning to think your quite bright
Not really. I just remember hearing about it on the news or in SciAm or somewhere a few months ago.

An accessory for it was patented 45 years before the thing itself, by someone else. The thing itself was never built to the original specs, so far as can be determined. Several subsquent patents by other people were unsuccessful designs.

edit: I'm going for a well-needed nap now. Feel free to post parallel puzzles while I'm gone.
 
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  • #1,929
Recoil mechanism on a rifle. Patented in 1899 by Paul Mauser, the M1 Garrand rifle wasn't actually made for another 45 years.
 
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  • #1,930
brewnog said:
Recoil mechanism on a rifle.
Interesting info, of which I was unaware, but not what I'm thinking of. (I'll have to look into that, though.)

Original was hand-cranked.
 
  • #1,931
Ahh, then it's the starter motor for a car. This one's been done before though, so (assuming it's the right answer!) I won't take credit.



Edit: Actually, I think I'm wrong, the gap wasn't nearly 50 years. But I'll leave it there just in case!

For you to look into my last guess, click http://patentpending.blogs.com/patent_pending_blog/firearms_patentstechnology/ and search for "Mauser".
 
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  • #1,932
brewnog said:
so (assuming it's the right answer!) I won't take credit.
You assume too quickly, m'man. Back it up a hundred years or so.
 
  • #1,933
Does this have something to do with communication? I'm thinking the phonograph was originally hand-cranked...
 
  • #1,934
honestrosewater said:
Does this have something to do with communication?
Nope....
 
  • #1,935
An accessory for it was patented 45 years before the thing itself, by someone else. The thing itself was never built to the original specs, so far as can be determined. Several subsquent patents by other people were unsuccessful designs.

A vacuum cleaner?
 
  • #1,936
wolram said:
A vacuum cleaner?
Sorry... no. But you're starting to get closer. Continue on the domestic theme.
Thanks for the link, Noggie. I'll go read it right now.
 
  • #1,937
I think he's referring to the sewing machine.
 
  • #1,938
zoobyshoe said:
I think he's referring to the sewing machine.
I think he thinks correctly. A sewing machine needle was patented in 1755, but there was no machine to go with it. (Just realized that I screwed up the time span.) A machine was patented in 1790, but not built. The first working model was made, but not patented, in 1810. Weird.
 
  • #1,939
Danger said:
I think he thinks correctly. A sewing machine needle was patented in 1755, but there was no machine to go with it. (Just realized that I screwed up the time span.) A machine was patented in 1790, but not built. The first working model was made, but not patented, in 1810. Weird.

Screwed up the time span eh, not another ground hog day.
 
  • #1,940
its about 8482 square km, and its a wet cell.
 
  • #1,941
Oooh I like the sound of this!

Is it Lake Volta? If so, I admire your punnage. :smile:
 
  • #1,942
brewnog said:
Oooh I like the sound of this!

Is it Lake Volta? If so, I admire your punnage. :smile:

INcredible FAnblooming Tastic.
 
  • #1,943
Well that was such a good pun, and I feel so guilty for getting it straight away that I want you to do another one. Your go again!
 
  • #1,944
Since Wolram took off for the moment... An interesting pic from my files. It may be obvious, but if not, or even if so, I thought it worth a go around. What was it?

http://img106.echo.cx/img106/51/whatwasit4pz.jpg
 
  • #1,945
Is that a CAT or MRI scanner[/color]?
 
  • #1,946
Very good! You are on the right track.
 
  • #1,947
There is a story behind the picture posted. Your challenge, should you choose to accept it, is to give a reasonable approximation of that story.
 
  • #1,948
Ivan Seeking said:
There is a story behind the picture posted. Your challenge, should you choose to accept it, is to give a reasonable approximation of that story.
Is this the portable MRI unit for which you engineered a self-leveling system?
 
  • #1,949
zoobyshoe said:
Is this the portable MRI unit for which you engineered a self-leveling system?

No :smile:

Now wait, did I tell you about the leveling system, or was that a fortuitous joke?
 
  • #1,950
I'm afraid I don't know very many MRI related anecdotes, except for the poor chap who was last week scanned under the influence of a muscle relaxant, while they played Dido to him!

Being paralysed, strapped down, and forced to listen to Dido doesn't sound like fun.
 

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