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.

  • #2,431
I got a question for you guys to solve!

It restricts the diameter of the light path through one plane in an optical system, it may be a lens or a mirror. Apple Computer recently released this program, what was Adobe's response?
 
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  • #2,432
Well, I post a question and no body tries eh?
 
  • #2,433
Okay then, http://www.macworld.com/2005/06/reviews/bridgecs2/index.php?
 
  • #2,434
You know what, I'll give it to you. That is a good answer. Score one of Andre! I've never seen you in this thread before! Lightroom was a better answer though http://www.appleinsider.com/article.php?id=1445
 
  • #2,435
Okay I just happened to stumble upon this thread. But what is this then?

http://home.wanadoo.nl/bijkerk/whatisit.jpg

Bonus points for the age, owner and location of this gadget.
 
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  • #2,436
Wow tough. Tough. It looks Greek, and it seems to be a gadget... hmm : /
 
  • #2,437
It does look ancient greek in style, but the proportioning of the body parts seems much better than the vase painting etc you see. I'm wondering if its a victorian or later copy of the style...
 
  • #2,438
Not Greek not Victorian. And it's original. I give away the current location of the thing: Paris, France.

And it's the most intruiging thing I've seen.
 
  • #2,439
Furthermore, it's made of stone, it's size is less than two inches and it's inscriptions are not representative of the area where it was made/found, suggesting that the population of the makers already traveled quite a bit. But that does not help solving what it is, does it?

http://home.wanadoo.nl/bijkerk/whatisit.jpg
 
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  • #2,440
The other side shows two water buffaloes, definitely not native to the area were it was found, The origin of those animals could have been India, the Ganghes Valley. Which also rules out India.

The original owner needed it for his job. He was a secretary.
 
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  • #2,441
The area, where it came from is in the news, every day.
 
  • #2,442
Iraq then I'd assume, but I'm still not sure what it is. how deep does that opening in the bottom go?
 
  • #2,443
Is it an inkwell? But how intriguing would it be then? It looks like a pencil sharpener, or something to... well, have fun with :redface: but if its only 2 inches long its too small. :biggrin: Well maybe not for some of you. :-p

Iraq?
Probably the Middle East?
 
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  • #2,444
I'd thought pencil sharpener too but thought that was pretty unlikely.
 
  • #2,445
Iraq is correct. Bonus point for Matthyouw. But it is was known as Mesopotania in the time of the gadget. The very fertile land between the Euphrathes and the Tigris rivers, currently barren dessert. Not really close the the Ganghes in India.

Actually, the size is 3,51 cm and it's not a pencil sharpener.

The hole goes all the way through.
 
  • #2,446
Is it for marking paper? I can imagine it rolled along a letter or document to leave an impression rather like an ink stamp.
 
  • #2,447
matthyaouw said:
Is it for marking paper? I can imagine it rolled along a letter or document to leave an impression rather like an ink stamp.
I think you're right:

cylinder seal: Cylinder of stone, gem or baked clay engraved with a design which made an impression when rolled over wet clay
 
  • #2,448
No way, the first thing I thought of was an ink roller thing from Greece or Mesopotamia if it was in the Middle East, but why would it have a kind of design that would be on a tapestry on it, why is it so small, and why is it for paper if paper wasn't invented yet?
 
  • #2,449
The correct word indeed is "cylinder seal" Point for Zoobyshoe. This particular one is an extraordinary specimen more than 4000 years old. Not exactly the stone tools we have in mind, suggesting how we tend to underestimate the culture of then.

More info http://www.metmuseum.org/special/First_Cities/firstcities_stop7.htm .
 
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  • #2,450
This man discovered all the rudiments of photography, except a process for fixing the image, at least 30 years before anyone else.
 
  • #2,451
Nicéphore Niépce?
 
  • #2,452
Mk said:
Nicéphore Niépce?
Before him, even.
 
  • #2,453
Johann Zahn?
 
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  • #2,454
Mk said:
Johann Zahn?
Nein!
...
 
  • #2,455
No hablamos Español. :biggrin:
 
  • #2,456
Mk said:
No hablamos Español. :biggrin:
Nein! Es: "No se habla Español."
 
  • #2,457
"No se habla Español."
That probably would have been better fitting, but I was feeling especially <insert word here> and I decided to go for "We do not speak spanish." Was I right?
 
  • #2,458
Mk said:
That probably would have been better fitting, but I was feeling especially <insert word here> and I decided to go for "We do not speak spanish." Was I right?
"No hablamos Espanol" doesn't mean "We don't speak Spanish." It means: "We are not speaking Spanish." The verb "to speak" is reflexive in that language: se hablar: to be spoken. When a Spanish speaker want to convey the information they speak Spanish it is done by saying: "Spanish is spoken" or "Se habla Espanol". The opposite, "I/we don't speak Spanish" is "No se habla Espanol."
 
  • #2,459
The verb "to speak" is reflexive in that language: se hablar: to be spoken. When a Spanish speaker want to convey the information they speak Spanish it is done by saying: "Spanish is spoken" or "Se habla Espanol". The opposite, "I/we don't speak Spanish" is "No se habla Espanol."
Mmmm thank you/.

You sound like you could be a Spanish teacher.
 
  • #2,460
Jeez this is hard.
 

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