The World's Largest Computer in 1951

  • Thread starter Thread starter wolram
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Computer
Click For Summary
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.

  • #1,321
Evo said:
you just did :biggrin:

Nothing gets past you, does it?


Anyway. It looks like this one needs a superior mind to crack. Where's zoob and uncle Danger?
 
Computer science news on Phys.org
  • #1,322
Is this a type of mine?
 
  • #1,323
Ivan Seeking said:
Is this a type of mine?

No.

To be honest, I thought someone would get this within the first few goes. I feel kind of guilty for wasting peoples' time with such a stupid puzzle!

I'll give you another 10 mins or so before revealing, and then you can all cuss me and someone can post a proper one.
 
  • #1,324
brewnog said:
Nothing gets past you, does it?
I'm sharp as a tack. :approve:

Anyway. It looks like this one needs a superior mind to crack. Where's zoob and uncle Danger?
How about another clue?
 
  • #1,325
Minnesota, Pennsylvania, and Missouri all have one of these.

Mississippi has a shedload of them.

Arkansas, Ohio, Oregon, California and New Jersey all have none.
 
  • #1,326
Crud! I know this is something obvious but its not hitting me. :devil:
 
  • #1,327
Ivan Seeking said:
Crud! I know this is something obvious but its not hitting me. :devil:


Mmm, I'll be, urrrrm, doubled up in laughter if you don't get it soon...
 
  • #1,328
double consonant
 
  • #1,329
Ivan Seeking said:
double consonant

Close enough, double letter.

Sorry it was crap, I didn't think it would last this long.
 
  • #1,330
We don't have a knife through the heart smilie? :devil:
 
  • #1,331
Whoops, I forgot about Cameroon.

No, I thought that was pretty good... Maybe a few more clues would have helped. It is tough because you can hardly say anything without giving it away. I was definitely burning up Google:language and alphabet, politics, laws, geography, industry... and for six or seven countries .

back in a few minutes
 
  • #1,332
Measuring 600' X 100' X 50' [one significant figure], hush was the word. For a deeply held secret was at stake.
 
  • #1,333
Neptune
Golf
CIA
 
  • #1,334
Philadelphia project, project rainbow USS Eldridge?
 
  • #1,335
No, this was real. :biggrin:
 
  • #1,336
In fact I have stood within a few hundred feet of this.
 
  • #1,337
An indirect clue:
How to catch a fly.
 
  • #1,338
The Eldridge was a real ship. It's just the project that is fictional. Hmm, I probably shouldn't guess Noah's ark either then. :biggrin:

Is it the world's largest bee hive?
 
  • #1,339
World's largest fly swatter?
 
  • #1,340
Is it the world's largest bee hive?

No
 
  • #1,341
Evo said:
World's largest fly swatter?

No, :biggrin: , that last clue has an exclusive context that cannot be extrapolated - unless you know exactly how it connects, don't guess because you won't.
 
  • #1,342
Just think of the skill you would need to hit a fly with something this size. :biggrin:
 
  • #1,343
ooh, this is a good thread, bit too clever for me though.
 
  • #1,344
Andy said:
ooh, this is a good thread, bit too clever for me though.


Ahh, come on Andy, put your google skills to the test.

Another clue
Benicia
 
  • #1,345
I have a headache and can't google. :frown:
 
  • #1,346
The trash dump in Benicia, California?

You know, the one where they have that secret military base with all the black helicopters.
 
  • #1,347
Huckleberry said:
The trash dump in Benicia, California?

No...

You know, the one where they have that secret military base with all the black helicopters.[/QUOTE]

,,,but that answer finds a bit of a connection.
 
  • #1,348
but I can neither confirm nor deny whether records exist
 
  • #1,349
anything to do with the neptune project with all those fibre optic cables?
 
  • #1,350
RAF Fylingdale?
 

Similar threads

Is Alan Turing given too much credit when it comes to computers?
  • · Replies 29 ·
Replies
29
Views
5K
How to compute flexure and failure loads of acrylic sheets
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
15K