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.

  • #1,591
Ivan Seeking said:
I'm sorry, was this going to be our little secret? :smile:
I didn't want to spring the right answer cause I don't have a good clue ready, but I wanted you to know I had the right answer. Go ahead and post another, I forfeit my turn due to being too lazy to come up with something.
 
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  • #1,592
Wow zooby, I didn't know you were such a great dancer!
 
  • #1,593
Mk said:
Wow zooby, I didn't know you were such a great dancer!
What does this mean?
 
  • #1,594
zoobyshoe said:
What does this mean?

Is that your question? :biggrin:

If anyone else want to go, please proceed. Otherwise I'll be back with a question shortly, but I can't stick around too long.
 
  • #1,595
Well, I got caught up watching a TV show and now I have to go.

What was it?
 
  • #1,596
zoobyshoe said:
"Found cement" makes sence, but I don't see "Went looking for iron" really applying.
In the street-rod scene, at least up here, US-built cars are called 'Detroit Iron'. In 1969, the Teamsters under Jimmy Hoffa took over the United Automobile Workers. (They called it a 'merger', but you know how power-mad Hoffa was...)
 
  • #1,597
zoobyshoe said:
What does this mean?
Function: pronoun
Inflected Form(s): plural these /'[th]Ez/
Etymology: Middle English, pronoun & adjective, from Old English thes (masculine), this (neuter); akin to Old High German dese this, Old English thæt that
1 a (1) : the person, thing, or idea that is present or near in place, time, or thought or that has just been mentioned <these are my hands> (2) : what is stated in the following phrase, clause, or discourse <I can only say this: it wasn't here yesterday> b : this time or place <expected to return before this>
2 a : the one nearer or more immediately under observation or discussion <this is iron and that is tin> b : the one more recently referred to

Function: adjective
Inflected Form(s): plural these
1 a : being the person, thing, or idea that is present or near in place, time, or thought or that has just been mentioned <this book is mine> <early this morning> b : constituting the immediately following part of the present discourse c : constituting the immediate past or future <friends all these years> d : being one not previously mentioned -- used especially in narrative to give a sense of immediacy or vividness <then this guy runs in>
2 : being the nearer at hand or more immediately under observation or discussion <this car or that one>

Function: adverb
: to the degree or extent indicated by something in the immediate context or situation <didn't expect to wait this long>
____

A villain in a fairytale, there are four in the neighborhood.
 
  • #1,598
This may have contributed fundamentally to the evolution of Quantum Mechanics. We will never know for sure to what extent this is true, but it does seem that the cat is out of the bag.


Coupled
time-dependence
Snow
Wave
 
  • #1,599
Was it a thought experiment?
 
  • #1,601
No, and no.

Brrrrrrrrr...
Bed
 
  • #1,602
Was the cat out of the bag supposed to just be funny, or is it clueish?
 
  • #1,603
It was a clue with two meanings.

Next clue: Inspiration
 
  • #1,604
Schrödinger's cat
 
  • #1,605
No, but you're on the right track.

Alps
 
  • #1,606
Okay and here are the final clues
Christmas and New Year's, 1925-26.
 
  • #1,607
Going with just one clue on this (inspiration) : Is it Thermionic Emission, noticed by Edison ?
 
  • #1,608
Ivan Seeking said:
Okay and here are the final clues
Christmas and New Year's, 1925-26.
The dates mean nothing to me, but I was thinking of the time-dependent version Schrödinger's wave equation.
 
  • #1,609
Edit:
Going with just one clue on this (inspiration) : Is it Thermionic Emission, noticed by Edison ?

No, the inspiration was of a different nature.

Couple
 
Last edited:
  • #1,610
The Gamma-Ray Microscope
 
  • #1,611
The Gamma-Ray Microscope

No
 
  • #1,612
Danger said:
The dates mean nothing to me, but I was thinking of the time-dependent version Schrödinger's wave equation.


That was the effect. This preceeded Schrödinger's famous paper.

Edit: To say that was the effect is not really accurate. I should have said that his paper followed. A direct cause and effect determination is not possible. But many suspect...
 
Last edited:
  • #1,613
Ivan Seeking said:
This preceeded Schrödinger's famous paper.
I'm afraid that's it for me, then. I don't know much QM, and even less of the history surrounding it. :frown:
 
  • #1,614
I'm afraid that's it for me, then. I don't know much QM, and even less of the history surrounding it.

You will like the answer.
 
  • #1,615
Ivan Seeking said:
You will like the answer.
Tease... :-p
 
  • #1,616
Schrödinger equation ?
 
  • #1,617
Hund and mulliken on diatomic molecules
 
  • #1,618
Yes
No
No
 
  • #1,619
I was thinking along the lines of the frequency modulation in radio waves..lol so I must be wayyyy off.
 
  • #1,620
Wolram can have this turn, I got my answer from his idea.
 

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