The World's Largest Computer in 1951

  • Thread starter Thread starter wolram
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Computer
Click For Summary

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.

  • #2,341
Yikes ! Is that your question ?
 
Computer science news on Phys.org
  • #2,342
Lol, if you have no idea I'll give you a hint I guess.
 
  • #2,343
honestrosewater said:
Bah, must go. First guess: Sony's ESPER Laboratory??

No, but you have the right idea.
 
  • #2,344
I really don't know what you mean. Does this have to do with Art Bell at all? (I don't like George Noory)
 
  • #2,345
No

I don't care for George either.
 
  • #2,346
More clues! :cry:

Mk, is that a trick question? 57*N 12*E?
 
  • #2,347
In order:
You must unscramble the letters.

They form two words, and some letters are rotated, or backwards. :devil:

The Mac version recently came out.

Make sure you've turned on the right extra layers!

Check on the coast, a bit to the East.
 
Last edited:
  • #2,348
Mk said:
In order:
You must unscramble the letters.

They form two words, and some letters are rotated, or backwards. :devil:

The Mac version recently came out.
Yeah, Google Earth, right? I got that much.
Make sure you've turned on the right extra layers!

Check on the coast, a bit to the East.
Bah... guess I have to get it. Red fox, Tripoli, submarines... hmmm...
 
Last edited:
  • #2,349
Yep. :smile:
 
  • #2,350
Oh, yeah, who's the master?

The Foxtrot Subs in Tripoli are at approximately 32*54' N 13*13' E
 
  • #2,351
No, not quite.

You see, I think you are looking at the wrong Tripoli. I meant the one in Tanzania. :frown:

Ha ha, just kidding. You win!
 
  • #2,352
It is right in front of you.
 
  • #2,353
Ivan Seeking said:
It is right in front of you.
Are you watching me again?

Something on our computer screens?

Another trick question? A LASER mouse?
 
Last edited:
  • #2,354
no
maybe, maybe not.
no

Quick definitions (telekinesis)

noun: the power to move something by thinking about it without the application of physical force.

I would end the sentence after "by thinking about it", but the definition given works well enough in this case.
 
Last edited:
  • #2,355
I can type better by thinking about it, then trying.

The little mouse on the screen, I can move that like by thinking about it.
 
  • #2,356
Okay, close enough. A quadraplegic first moved a cursor on a computer screen by thinking about it[correctly]. Of course, in principle that's all that you need to connect to physical systems and control them with thought; hence artificial telekinesis.

Mk, what do you mean that you can move the cursor by thinking about it?
 
Last edited:
  • #2,357
What's going on here? It looks like you congratulated me, then asked what I meant.
 
  • #2,358
Ivan Seeking said:
Okay, close enough. A quadraplegic first moved a cursor on a computer screen by thinking about it[correctly]. Of course, in principle that's all that you need to connect to physical systems and control them with thought; hence artificial telekinesis.

Mk, what do you mean that you can move the cursor by thinking about it?
Oh, I should have gotten that; I even saw a show about those sensor implants. Cool stuff.

Someone else can go while I think of a clue from Mk's. :smile:
 
  • #2,359
No, no no. Honestrosewater gets a turn. I didn't know the answer anyway.
 
  • #2,360
I don't have anymore clues. Okay, you must wear masks and can't play the same way twice. What do you call a follower of the theological system developed by the person who the boy who this game is named after is named after?
 
Last edited:
  • #2,361
What kind of culture is this game played in?

I need a hint.
 
  • #2,362
I imagine it helps to play at least partially in your imagination. Ball appears in game's name.
 
  • #2,363
The boy is Confucius, and the religion is Confucianism, the followers are Confused, and the game is Confusing-ball.
 
  • #2,364
Hee hee. Okay, random bits of info...

1985
male child of russ watters
tiger
Job 41
 
  • #2,365
:frown: Did anyone look up Job 41? It's about something pretty rare. The striped friend of the boy who the game is named after is named after a guy who wrote a book about the creature in Job 41 ... or the COMMONWEALTH... uh... or STATE... (in Latin, CIVITAS), which is but an artificial man, though of greater stature and strength than the natural, for whose protection and defence it was intended; and in which the sovereignty is an artificial soul, as giving life and motion to the whole body; the magistrates and other officers of judicature and execution, artificial joints; reward and punishment (by which fastened to the seat of the sovereignty, every joint and member is moved to perform his duty) are the nerves, that do the same in the body natural; the wealth and riches of all the particular members are the strength; salus populi (the people's safety) its business; counsellors, by whom all things needful for it to know are suggested unto it, are the memory; equity and laws, an artificial reason and will; concord, health; sedition, sickness; and civil war, death... :zzz:
 
  • #2,366
Huh? You lost me at "Today, 3:37, honestrosewater"
 
  • #2,367
Mk said:
Huh? You lost me at "Today, 3:37, honestrosewater"
You're only 3 hours ahead of me?
 
  • #2,368
Oh, right, the clue. :-p

It's in a friggin comic strip... a comic strip about a boy's adventures with his doll... er, stuffed tiger... fierce, stuffed tiger...

Erm, you did realize that Job is a book of the Bible? And 41 refers to the chapter of the book... ?? I thought that was a pretty big clue...
 
Last edited:
  • #2,369
I haven't tried since I asked you for a hint :redface:

If you are on the East Coast, then I am 15 hours ahead of you. It was 3:35 PM, on Tuesday here.
 
  • #2,370
What do you call a follower of the theological system developed by the person who the boy who this game is named after is named after?
Calvanist.
 

Similar threads

Is Alan Turing given too much credit when it comes to computers?
  • · Replies 29 ·
Replies
29
Views
5K
How to compute flexure and failure loads of acrylic sheets
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
15K