Mechanical Computing Redux
by
Randy Mears
The introduction of electronic digital computers and their subsequent proliferation, beginning mid-20th century, have had a significant impact on human culture and events. But the concepts behind our modern electronic computing marvels have been with us for a very long time; first in the form of mechanical computers. There is much evidence that the concepts behind mechanical computers are very old indeed.
The earliest known example, the 2000 year old Antikythera mechanism, was apparently built by ancient Greeks. Progress on the mechanical computing front was apparently not very swift so the age of mechanical computing didn't reach its ideological apex until the 19th century (at the hands of Charles Babbage with his design of the "difference engine"). Although Babbage never completed the envisioned 13 ton, 25,000 moving part steam-powered device, his design survived - deemed both workable and capable.
Until now, I thought that the story ended there; that the history books were closed on mechanical computers. And then along comes nanotechnology. With Babbage's designs as inspiration, and a modern zest for all things nanotechnological; the concept of a nanoscale mechanical computer is born.
Don't get me wrong, I think the concept of a microscopic mechanical computer has the makings of a fantastic science project. I also think that much can be learned from such research. I could even envision products that would result from this work; I just don’t see a mechanical computer being one of them.
