The Antikythera was an early analog computer
The Antikythera Mechanism is older than Charles Babbage’s computation machine by an order of magnitude. It is the oldest known calculator. Some rather chewed-up looking pieces are on display at the National Archaeological Museum in Athens. I wouldn’t expect otherwise, as the Antikythera was built in ancient Greece in about 100 BCE.
The Antikythera is an analog computer requiring a very comprehensive understanding of gear ratios and differentials. It was designed so well that it can accurately calculate solar eclipses and other celestial events. It’s true purpose was not understood until recently, according to the description by MacMillan Publishing.
Fully functional Antikythera replica using Lego
MacMillan posted a video on YouTube yesterday, as part of their Digital-Science.com roll-out. Andrew Carol is the person shown in the video. He is the “master Lego craftsman” and a software engineer with Apple Computers.
Watch an amazing 3-minute video that quickly shows how the all-Lego Antikythera calculator was constructed.
The full story behind all this is here… Read More
via Casting Out Nines.
Ellie Asks Why 
Comments welcomed! Less enthusiastic about spam.