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.

  • #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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