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.

  • #2,281
yomamma said:
nope. that would be WAY too easy

I figured but decided I might as well get the obvious out of the way...

So how about shuffleboard?
 
Computer science news on Phys.org
  • #2,282
wrong again
 
  • #2,283
Billiards...
 
  • #2,284
you win. too easy :redface:
 
  • #2,285
yomamma said:
you win. too easy :redface:

I can't think of anything good... :frown:

Anyone who wants to go can...
 
  • #2,286
Documented evidence of tsu chu found in a Chinese military manual written about 2nd century BC describes a practice known as ?? or ?? (on the right track: American ________). The Dublin University Club was founded in the same year what instrument was patented? (on the right track: secant is the extension of the second syllable). What was it?
 
  • #2,287
Townsend said:
So where the hell is Wolram?

Ok...someone go!

We can't wait for wolly...

Sorry, i thought the thread had died, the ansewer was.
Tsar Pushka (Царь-пушка in Russian) is a huge cannon, founded in 1586 by a Russian founding master Andrey Chokhov. Weight - 40 tons, length - 5,34 m, calibre - 890 mm, external diameter - 1200 mm.
Andrey Chokhov, was also a bell maker.
Sour grapes = grape shot.
 
  • #2,288
Documented evidence of tsu chu found in a Chinese military manual written about 2nd century BC describes a practice known as ?? or ??. The Dublin University Club of this was founded in the same year what musical instrument was patented? What was it?
 
  • #2,289
Its over 100 meters long
could travel over 400 km/hr
weighed 540 tons fully loaded
had 10 engines
could travel over land, water, snow, ice.

WHAT WAS IT??
 
  • #2,291
It is the most successful Canadian invention of its kind and is known world-wide.
 
  • #2,292
The circle-shaped bacon? Maple syrup? The tree?

The dildo? All were pretty successful.
 
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  • #2,293
Kerosene? Electron microscope?
 
  • #2,294
no no no...well, maybe the tree. :biggrin:
 
  • #2,295
no no... ...
 
  • #2,296
first one sold for a sixty dollar loss
 
  • #2,297
The Television!
 
  • #2,298
NO!

:biggrin:
 
  • #2,299
WTF! Television wasn't a good enough invention? What do you want? The wheel? Coke?
 
  • #2,300
first conceived of in 1979

Television was invented in about seven places at once.
 
  • #2,301
I hope its not Trivial Pursuit.
 
  • #2,302
Mk said:
I hope its not Trivial Pursuit.

I'm sorry to shatter your hopes, yes.
 
  • #2,303
4!=24
5!=120
6!=720
(Number of colons in a MAC address)!=?
 
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  • #2,304
Mk said:
4!=24
6!=720
(Number of colons in a MAC address)!=?
1111000 (or, alternatively, 78)
 
  • #2,305
No, that's not quite right.
 
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  • #2,306
What the hell? Don't tell me I killed the thread again!
 
  • #2,307
It ain't dead yeat. Just clue us some more.
 
  • #2,308
Look up MAC address on your computer or on the internet, this one, you don't have to think a lot. Unless you don't know what the "!" means.
 
  • #2,309
You guys suck. 120.

Hey, why did you edit that? :-p In Windows, the colons are hyphens, BTW. For others, they're periods or spaces. Or did I miss something? Is it 1? Do I win? It's either 1 or 120. Hurry up and tell me! :devil: Heh, I didn't realize I missed this game so much.
 
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  • #2,310
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