Good old mechanical design

[SpencerH]

I came across some old videos on Engadget about old fashioned mechanical design.
This particular one is about some old balistics computer. And by using cams etc. it calculates quite a lot of things.
Anyways I thought it might be cool as most of us are quite spoiled with microcontrollers.
http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/14/us-navy-explains-basic-mechanical-principles-of-a-fire-control-c/

[0AlphaOmega]

Subtle

[kf2qd]

Yep, the old ANALOG COMPUTERS. Also used in submarines during WWII for setting up torpedos. Turned all the knobs and set all the dials and made teh mechanical setting in the torpedo and then it was launched.

[retrolefty]

Speaking of analog computers, many don't know that Heathkit's first computer offering wasn't a digital one but rather a analog one:

http://archive.computerhistory.org/resources/text/Heath/Heath.Analog.1956.102646297.pdf

Lefty

[mowcius]

Umm, why's this in my notify list?

Interesting reading but I swear it's the first time I've seen it...

[mowcius]

Oh, it's like 2 years old, maybe I did read it back in 2011!

[0AlphaOmega]

Heathkit!??? Whatever happened to them? That's a blast from the past! I used to have a Heathkit single trace scope

[retrolefty]

Oh, it's like 2 years old, maybe I did read it back in 2011!

Memory is the first thing to go with age. 

[Chagrin]

Speaking of analog computers, many don't know that Heathkit's first computer offering wasn't a digital one but rather a analog one:

http://archive.computerhistory.org/resources/text/Heath/Heath.Analog.1956.102646297.pdf

The voltages in that thing scare me.

[retrolefty]

Speaking of analog computers, many don't know that Heathkit's first computer offering wasn't a digital one but rather a analog one:

http://archive.computerhistory.org/resources/text/Heath/Heath.Analog.1956.102646297.pdf

The voltages in that thing scare me.

Acquired knowledge and experience can overcome such fears. Lacking those, then fear is probably a good thing. First step to replacing those fears with respect is through proper education.

Lefty