2000-yr-old computer recreated using Lego bricks!
December 10th, 2010 - 12:39 pm ICT by ANILondon, Dec 10 (ANI): A designer has created the fully functional replica of the world’s oldest computer using the Lego bricks.
The oldest computer, which dates back to 2000 years and was discovered in the bottom of the ocean by divers in 1901, was brought back into life by Andrew carol, reports the New Scientist.
Making the device was an engineering feat that required specialist Lego, and a lot of patience.
The idea was the brainchild of journalist Adam Rutherford who had seen a Babbage Difference Engine built by Andrew Carol and got in touch with him.
“I asked him if he’d heard of the mechanism, and if he thought it was doable in Lego. A few weeks later, he sent me some pictures of a demo version he’d knocked up. It was stunning,” said Rutherford.
The Antikythera mechanism is an astronomical computer thought to have been built in 150BC.
It was rediscovered on the Antikythera shipwreck and has since astounded researchers by its mechanical complexity.
Though, several people have recreated it but this is the first time a working replica has been made from Lego.
“We recreated a 1st century BC computer out of the best toy humankind has ever invented,” concluded Rutherford. (ANI)
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Tags: adam rutherford, antikythera mechanism, babbage difference engine, bottom of the ocean, brainchild, demo version, humankind, journalist, lego bricks, london, mechanical complexity, new scientist, old computer, oldest computer, patience, shipwreck