The World's Largest Computer in 1951

[wolram]

Spot on.

Yeah, what I don't understand is, well, have you ever seen a dog's bollocks?

Every day, benji loves to lay on the sofa, with legs splayed
apart.

 

[wolram]

Texas, famous for horses, music?

 

[honestrosewater]

This was a very expensive ring.

 

[wolram]

Texas has gambling, so a massive win that broke the bank?

 

[Danger]

The new super-collider that Congress yanked the funding on?

 

[honestrosewater]

Sorry, had computer problems yesterday.

The new super-collider that Congress yanked the funding on?

Bingo. The Superconducting Super Collider. A ring particle accelerator, to be built in Texas, Congress was the big C, ~$8.25 billion is very expensive in my book.

 

[wolram]

The new super-collider that Congress yanked the funding on?

Im beginning to think your quite bright, anyhows, jolly good show old boy.

 

[Danger]

Im beginning to think your quite bright

Not really. I just remember hearing about it on the news or in SciAm or somewhere a few months ago.

An accessory for it was patented 45 years before the thing itself, by someone else. The thing itself was never built to the original specs, so far as can be determined. Several subsquent patents by other people were unsuccessful designs.

edit: I'm going for a well-needed nap now. Feel free to post parallel puzzles while I'm gone.

 

[brewnog]

Recoil mechanism on a rifle. Patented in 1899 by Paul Mauser, the M1 Garrand rifle wasn't actually made for another 45 years.

 

[Danger]

Recoil mechanism on a rifle.

Interesting info, of which I was unaware, but not what I'm thinking of. (I'll have to look into that, though.)

Original was hand-cranked.

 

[brewnog]

Ahh, then it's the starter motor for a car. This one's been done before though, so (assuming it's the right answer!) I won't take credit.



Edit: Actually, I think I'm wrong, the gap wasn't nearly 50 years. But I'll leave it there just in case!

For you to look into my last guess, click http://patentpending.blogs.com/patent_pending_blog/firearms_patentstechnology/ and search for "Mauser".

 

[Danger]

so (assuming it's the right answer!) I won't take credit.

You assume too quickly, m'man. Back it up a hundred years or so.

 

[honestrosewater]

Does this have something to do with communication? I'm thinking the phonograph was originally hand-cranked...

 

[Danger]

Does this have something to do with communication?

Nope....

 

[wolram]

An accessory for it was patented 45 years before the thing itself, by someone else. The thing itself was never built to the original specs, so far as can be determined. Several subsquent patents by other people were unsuccessful designs.

A vacuum cleaner?

 

[Danger]

A vacuum cleaner?

Sorry... no. But you're starting to get closer. Continue on the domestic theme.
Thanks for the link, Noggie. I'll go read it right now.

 

[zoobyshoe]

I think he's referring to the sewing machine.

 

[Danger]

I think he's referring to the sewing machine.

I think he thinks correctly. A sewing machine needle was patented in 1755, but there was no machine to go with it. (Just realized that I screwed up the time span.) A machine was patented in 1790, but not built. The first working model was made, but not patented, in 1810. Weird.

 

[wolram]

I think he thinks correctly. A sewing machine needle was patented in 1755, but there was no machine to go with it. (Just realized that I screwed up the time span.) A machine was patented in 1790, but not built. The first working model was made, but not patented, in 1810. Weird.

Screwed up the time span eh, not another ground hog day.

 

[wolram]

its about 8482 square km, and its a wet cell.

 

[brewnog]

Oooh I like the sound of this!

Is it Lake Volta? If so, I admire your punnage.

 

[wolram]

Oooh I like the sound of this!

Is it Lake Volta? If so, I admire your punnage.

INcredible FAnblooming Tastic.

 

[brewnog]

Well that was such a good pun, and I feel so guilty for getting it straight away that I want you to do another one. Your go again!

 

[Ivan Seeking]

Since Wolram took off for the moment... An interesting pic from my files. It may be obvious, but if not, or even if so, I thought it worth a go around. What was it?

http://img106.echo.cx/img106/51/whatwasit4pz.jpg

 

[brewnog]

Is that a CAT or MRI scanner[/color]?

 

[Ivan Seeking]

Very good! You are on the right track.

 

[Ivan Seeking]

There is a story behind the picture posted. Your challenge, should you choose to accept it, is to give a reasonable approximation of that story.

 

[zoobyshoe]

There is a story behind the picture posted. Your challenge, should you choose to accept it, is to give a reasonable approximation of that story.

Is this the portable MRI unit for which you engineered a self-leveling system?

 

[Ivan Seeking]

Is this the portable MRI unit for which you engineered a self-leveling system?

No

Now wait, did I tell you about the leveling system, or was that a fortuitous joke?

 

[brewnog]

I'm afraid I don't know very many MRI related anecdotes, except for the poor chap who was last week scanned under the influence of a muscle relaxant, while they played Dido to him!

Being paralysed, strapped down, and forced to listen to Dido doesn't sound like fun.