- #1,441
Argentum Vulpes
snow-ball bush flowers
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
- 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
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.
- #1,442
brewnog
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Argentum Vulpes said:
What?! No.
- #1,443
zoobyshoe
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Fungal/bacterial colony thingies grown in a lab?
- #1,444
Argentum Vulpes
harvested cotton?
- #1,445
zoobyshoe
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Lint bundles from a towel washing service?
- #1,446
zoobyshoe
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A failed early attempt at microwave popcorn?
- #1,447
JamesU
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it looks like a bunch of starfish...
- #1,448
zoobyshoe
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Some kind of food/dumpling dough ready to be cooked.
- #1,449
JamesU
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young zoobies...
- #1,450
brewnog
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Argentum Vulpes said:
Yes!
Very good.
To put it in context, here's the full picture.
http://www.france.diplomatie.fr/label_france/ENGLISH/ART/aerienne/pics/01.jpg
Copyright belongs to Yann Arthus-Bertrand, a French aerial photographer. I highly recommend his book, - "The Earth from the Air"
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- #1,451
zoobyshoe
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OK. Argentum's clue was the firing order of some sort of V-8 engine.
- #1,452
JamesU
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wasn't that one already done?
- #1,453
brewnog
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yomamma said:
Yeah, he said it was a re-hashed pearoast.
- #1,454
Argentum Vulpes
zoobyshoe said:
You are on the right track.
yomamma said:
Yes like I said it was for kicks and giggles while we hashed on brewnog's question. I'm on my lunch break so I'll have an actual question later tonight, just need to cheeck some facts, obfuscate, and google proof it.
- #1,455
wolram
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obfuscate
Thats tricky, be careful
Thats tricky, be careful
- #1,456
Argentum Vulpes
I'm off work so here is my clue for this fun and exciting game...
I was painted with a dope.
Have fun.
I was painted with a dope.
Have fun.
- #1,457
brewnog
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Silicon semiconductor?
- #1,458
Argentum Vulpes
You think I'd make it that easy? IOW nope. It dose fall inbetween the discovery of the semiconductor and it's mass production.
- #1,459
brewnog
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Urrm, a ruby rod for a diode laser?
- #1,460
Argentum Vulpes
nope and think along other lines, If you want in a bit I'll float another clue
- #1,461
Danger
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Sure, go and wreck it by including a time frame. I was thinking of fabric aircraft fusilages.
- #1,462
Ivan Seeking
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LSD blotter paper
- #1,463
Danger
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So that's why you have that glazed look all the time...Ivan Seeking said:
- #1,464
Ivan Seeking
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Danger said:
That's nice of you to notice, but no, I get my complexion from one of my mothers.
- #1,465
Danger
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Yeah, I imagine that a guy like you must have gotten passed around a lot as an embryo. Which one got stuck with giving birth?Ivan Seeking said:
- #1,466
honestrosewater
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Is anyone around??
I need someone to entertain me! Entertain me!
I need someone to entertain me! Entertain me!
- #1,467
Ivan Seeking
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This is why I keep pushing to keep two questions running. This helps to keep the thread active.
I think Moonbear is due a question.
I think Moonbear is due a question.
- #1,468
Danger
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Yes, Audrey...honestrosewater said:
- #1,469
Argentum Vulpes
Sorry for taking so long to respond.
how dose including a time frame wreck it, you might be onto something, hint hint.
Wow that came in from left field.
And I do have an easy intermediary question (post 1438)
Danger said:
how dose including a time frame wreck it, you might be onto something, hint hint.
Ivan Seeking said:
Wow that came in from left field.
And I do have an easy intermediary question (post 1438)
- #1,470
Danger
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A model aeroplane?Argentum Vulpes said: