The World's Largest Computer in 1951

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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.

  • #1,411
Andy said:
silly tossars.
Don't start! Could take me months to figure out what "tossars" are!
 
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  • #1,412
The results of this experiment were so conclusive that the last doubters of atomic theory were forced to surrender. What was the experiment?
 
  • #1,413
A still...?

correct.
 
  • #1,414
brewnog said:
No worries, I'm still happy that we are allowed to say "wanker" in here without Evo telling us off!
That's nuthin'; I seem to remember you getting away with 'twat'.

zoobyshoe said:
The results of this experiment were so conclusive that the last doubters of atomic theory were forced to surrender. What was the experiment?
Hiroshima?
 
  • #1,415
Danger said:
Hiroshima?
Negatory..
 
  • #1,416
Rutherford and his gold foil?

I'm just saying that because I had an exam in his lecture hall the other day.
 
  • #1,417
brewnog said:
Rutherford and his gold foil?

I'm just saying that because I had an exam in his lecture hall the other day.
Good reason. Wrong experiment.
 
  • #1,418
Curie's radium salts and film discovery?
 
  • #1,419
Danger said:
Curie's radium salts and film discovery?
No. But I'd say everyone's in the right, very general, ballpark.
 
  • #1,420
!911 Rutherford used alpha particle beam to test for atomic structure
he termed the center of the atom, nucleus.
 
  • #1,421
wolram said:
!911 Rutherford used alpha particle beam to test for atomic structure
he termed the center of the atom, nucleus.
Brewnog already guessed Rutherford.

You guys are thinking too positively. Think negative.
 
  • #1,422
Thomson and his CRT?
 
  • #1,423
You guys are thinking too positively. Think negative.

Ok, there is no way i can crack this one.
 
  • #1,424
brewnog said:
Thomson and his CRT?
Nope. Still right ball park.
 
  • #1,425
Chadwick and his cloud chambers?
 
  • #1,426
Ions were first theorized by Michael Faraday around 1830, to describe the portions of molecules that travel either to an anode or to a cathode.
 
  • #1,427
brewnog said:
Chadwick and his cloud chambers?
No.
wolram said:
Ions were first theorized by Michael Faraday around 1830, to describe the portions of molecules that travel either to an anode or to a cathode.
Also no.
 
  • #1,428
The experiment involved a short focus telescope.
 
  • #1,429
William Crooke's vacuum tubes?
 
  • #1,430
brewnog said:
William Crooke's vacuum tubes?
No. The experiment also involved an electric field.
 
  • #1,431
Millikan's Oil Drop!
 
  • #1,432
brewnog said:
Millikan's Oil Drop!
Indeed!
 
  • #1,433
Woo! Throw enough cack around and some of it's bound to stick!


Ok, I've almost got a good clue coming up...
 
  • #1,434
brewnog said:
Woo! Throw enough cack around and some of it's bound to stick!


Ok, I've almost got a good clue coming up...
I thought that was your clue.
 
  • #1,435
Danger said:
I thought that was your clue.

Nah, that would have been too easy. (Artman's bedroom again, I believe).

Ok.

What is shown in the picture?

http://personalpages.umist.ac.uk/student/E.Smith-2/whatisthis.jpg
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #1,436
Freshly harvested cauliflowers
 
  • #1,437
zoobyshoe said:
Freshly harvested cauliflowers

No.

But I was hoping you'd say that. :smile:
 
  • #1,438
A fun intermediary question to pass the time

This is a rehash of an older question

When I first stated I was 18436572 then I went to 18726543, my cousin started at 15426378 then went to 13726548, and a third cousin of mine has stayed at 18436572. What am I and who are my cousins?

enjoy
 
  • #1,439
Freshly sheered wool
 
  • #1,440
zoobyshoe said:
Freshly sheered wool
Nope. :smile:
 

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