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.

  • #181
...and it seems Varuna is a large Kuiper belt object, nearly as large as Pluto.

Njorl
 
Computer science news on Phys.org
  • #182
Njorl,
you are correct, its a new hobby of mine to associate
celestial bodies with their name sake
 
  • #183
Njorl,
have you a question? that is within the bounds of thread
participants ken :biggrin:
 
  • #184
Oh yeah. Umm...
 
  • #185
Contrary to what the name implies, it was made of birch. It was the largest of it's kind ever made. I have a couple hints ready, but this might be enough.

Njorl
 
  • #186
Njorl said:
Contrary to what the name implies, it was made of birch. It was the largest of it's kind ever made. I have a couple hints ready, but this might be enough.

Njorl

The "Spruce Goose"?
 
  • #187
I guess you won't need those hints after all.

Yep.

Njorl
 
  • #188
do you have one LURCH?
 
  • #189
this wheel has a diameter of 72 feet 6 inches, (over 22 metres), and a width of 6 feet.
 
  • #190
London Eye (the millenium wheel thingy)
 
  • #191
good guess jimmy p , but this wheel is much older
 
  • #192
wolram said:
this wheel has a diameter of 72 feet 6 inches, (over 22 metres), and a width of 6 feet.

That's that big water wheel in Europe, Isabelle I think it's called.

I like big machines! :biggrin:

Today's clocks are read by site. By what sense did one tell time in early (c. 18th century) Chinese homes?
 
  • #193
http://www.isle-of-man.com/information/lwheel.htm

i should take umbrage with you for saying EUROPE
but i forgive you :biggrin:
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #194
Today's clocks are read by site. By what sense did one tell time in early (c. 18th century) Chinese homes?
i know the chinese had a facination for birds, and i think
some of their clocks had birds tweet the time
 
  • #195
wolram said:
i know the chinese had a facination for birds, and i think some of their clocks had birds tweet the time
And so...by what sense would the chinese have sensed the time?
 
  • #196
wolram said:
i know the chinese had a facination for birds, and i think
some of their clocks had birds tweet the time

Nope, not by hearing. But you are correct in that properly identifying the device will give the sense.
 
  • #197
Aha! Sense of smell! The Chinese would speak of lumps of time as "the time it takes to burn a stick of incense."
 
  • #198
Amateur electrical experimentor, Benjamin Franklin, nearly killed himself with electricity once. Not, however, when he flew a kite during an electrical storm, but when he was walking holding two charged Leyden jars, on his way to do what?
 
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  • #199
cook a turkey
 
  • #200
wolram said:
cook a turkey
So close, and yet so far. That isn't the specific task he was on his way to perform when he shocked himself. It was, indeed, thanksgiving day, however, and a turkey was to be cooked that day, which is a hint.
 
  • #201
remove the feathers?
 
  • #202
Evo said:
remove the feathers?
No. He was on his way to to something with the two charged leyden jars.
 
  • #203
you're telling me that shocking a turkey with two leyden jars won't loosen it's feathers? :wink:
 
  • #204
Evo said:
you're telling me that shocking a turkey with two leyden jars won't loosen it's feathers? :wink:
Hmmmm. I can't tell if your suggestion he shocked the turkey is a joke or not. Either way, it is correct. This is how Franklin killed his thanksgiving turkeys.

Your turn, Evo.
 
  • #205
It's transmitters broadcast on frequencies at 20 and 40 MHz.
 
  • #206
a turkey broadcasts on 20 and 40 MHz?
ohhhh new question silly me.
 
  • #207
It's a very special turkey.
 
  • #208
sputnik, if my old ham radio book is right.
 
  • #209
wolram said:
sputnik, if my old ham radio book is right.
Damn, you are good!
 
  • #210
no just an old hobby
 

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