Greek Geeks

Scientists have determined that the Antikythera Mechanism, a 2000-year-old Greek device discovered in a Roman shipwreck, was an analog computer that could display celestial cycles. The mechanism's complex system of bronze gears may have been used to predict lunar & solar eclipses. "It's a brilliant technical design," said the researchers, "technically more complex than any known device for at least a millennium afterwards."

astronomy, tools

Websites

• Wired Gadget Lab
  2,000 Year Old Computer Yields Her Secrets

Books

• The story of science
  Aristotle leads the way

Websites

• BBC News
  Ancient Moon 'computer' revisited

Last updated by curious on Aug. 25, 2008

Disclaimer...

While the Library has verified the information presented in these files in what it considers to be reliable and authoritative sources, it cannot take responsibility for nor guarantee the accuracy of the information presented.