Highlights
- Greeks have been the pioneers for developing the very first computer in the world
- No one has been able to find out till now the exact working mechanism of this computer
- Planetary motions can be seen in these ancient computers.
You may think that computers are an invention of the recent world. Nothing can be further away from the truth. We may not know it but our ancestors were far more intelligent than we are. The origin of the computer was in the ancient Greek world.
Scholars have been very puzzled over the Antikythera mechanism of the first computer. It is an ancient and complex astronomical calculator which has been found from old-world archaeological items. This calculator is almost 2000 years old.
This old device has the ability to show the movement of the five known planets of that time. It can also show the times and occurrence of the solar and lunar eclipses. More than any of these feats, it can provide an idea about the comprehensive motion of the universe.
However, even the most brilliant scientists of the world have not been able to decipher how this device can find out these motions. This is under the list of the first computers in the world.
Recent Findings
The best thing which has happened to this device in the present times is that the researchers of UCL tried to reconstruct the device with the help of the same materials and processes. They devised that if they are able to reconstruct the device in the right way, they can also find out the exact working mechanism of the device. If one can build an exact replica of this ancient computer, it might be possible to find out the exact working model of the machine.
Adam Wojcik is one of the scientists who have been associated with this project. He mentioned that scientists have often gleaned over several ancient discoveries by using the back-end methods. The ancient computer may also find its solution by reconstructing it from scratch. These efforts were taken in the past as well. Many sets of researchers have tried to decipher the analog of this computer. It is the first computer made in the world. They have failed to use the exact materials and mechanisms. Thus, they have been quite unsuccessful in creating an exact replica of the device.
Basis Of Analogue
The mechanism of the world’s most ancient computer is however supposed to be very complex. It was found by the sponge divers in 1901. At that time, no one knew the exact usage of this ancient piece of corroded metal. It is believed that the device goes back to 80 BC. It was found near the Greek island of Antikythera and it is believed that the computer was passed from Rome to Asia Minor. It is possible that the ship carrying the device drowned in the juncture of the seas. The device follows the ancient Greek mechanism.
Corroded brass went unnoticed in the past. The scholars failed to understand the significance of the battered brass. However, with time, it was realized that this device is a masterpiece of mechanical engineering. There are about 30 gear wheels that can help to turn and move the dials. However, the right way to set the device into motion was known only to the Greeks who invented it.
Michael Wright, the curator of Mechanical Engineering in the Science Museum of London tried to build a replica of the device. However, despite having a working replica, it was not possible for the researchers to find out the exact model of working in the devices. It was almost like building a 3D puzzle. The device is very battered and it was even impossible to pick up and add all the pieces together.
Showing The Uses
The first computer invented was able to show the moving motions of about 5 planets. Mercury, Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, and Mars had their own concentric circles which can help one to track their movements with time and years. The special dials and pointers can also help you to decide the exact times of the solar and lunar eclipses.
In fact, the paths which are shown are quite similar to the real paths that are used by these celestial bodies. The sun is supposedly at the center and it is strongly believed that the gear wheels can be turned in order to find the motions of other planets as well.
It is not quite sure whether the device works in the right way or not. There is no way of guaranteeing it if the device is not recreated perfectly. That is why most scientists and researchers have focused their work on deciphering the working mechanism of this old computer.
Conclusion
The question that remains constant here is the fact that if the Greeks had the brains to build such a complex device, the early computer, why have they not made clocks instead? It is simpler and if they had discovered the use of gear wheels, clocks should have been a piece of cake. These works are on their way and the scientists are still looking for answers for the ancient computer.