Thomas Weibel

After decades of research, a seemingly unremarkable find retrieved from a Roman shipwreck proved to be a sensational scientific discovery, proving that the ancient Greeks were capable of making mechanical models of the cosmos. The Antikythera Mechanism is the world‘s first known analog computer.

https://blog.nationalmuseum.ch/en/2023/11/an-ancient-greek-computer/

My virtual replica:

https://www.thomasweibel.ch/anticythera2/

#history #sciencehistory #antiquity #archaeology #astronomy #digitalhumanities #mathematics #physics #astrophysics

Nov 3 at 7:38amWeb
Show threadJohn Carlos BaezNov 3
@thomasweibel - it makes me want to see more of those dials moving.... but I guess they're not supposed to?
Show threadThomas WeibelNov 3
@johncarlosbaez Actually all of them are. But given the speed of the main sun pointer they are moving very slowly. Pinch zoom or use the mouse wheel to watch.
Show thread@stevewfoldsNov 3
@thomasweibel @johncarlosbaez
Someone made a working replica in Lego ~2010.
Show threadThomas WeibelNov 3

@stevewfolds I know this project - amazing! I on the other hand made a printable 3D model of one of the basic functions of the mechanism, a lunar phase calculator, see https://www.thomasweibel.ch/?post=rechner-aus-dem-drucker . The model is available at https://sketchfab.com/3d-models/meton-moon-phase-calculator-432784e26d304c21b72c60f57d9c5c75 .

@johncarlosbaez

Thomas Weibel Multi & Media

Show thread@stevewfoldsNov 3
@thomasweibel @johncarlosbaez Wow, excellent. Built a RepRap 3D printer in ‘09.
Show threadplactagonicNov 3

@thomasweibel what is the speed of the simulation?

As I don't know that much about it, only what I get from watching Clickspring's recreation on YT, I think it should be more of an calendar of sorts so it should run really slow as a "clock". Also he just put video out yesterday where he makes the moon assembly.

Show threadThomas WeibelNov 3
@plactagonic It was no clock but a mechanical calculator. My virtual model is animated in order to show its internal workings; the animation speed is 1 year per minute. And yes, Chris' Antikythera project is absolutely fascinating!
Show threadProf LutzNov 3

@thomasweibel @johncarlosbaez I guess anyone interested in analog mechanical computers knows Titiana Van Vark... If not, see: https://www.tatjavanvark.nl/

I don't know the validity of her works on the Antikythera Mechanism, though. I'm most subjugated by her Fourier series machines.

#AnalogComputing

Tatjana J. van Vark ~ Main page ~ Welcome

AbstactFi Foundation, The works of Tatjana J. van Vark, tjvv

Show threadGeorg TuparevNov 3

@thomasweibel

There was a very good article in Scientific American (I think 2020 or 22).

Show threadThomas WeibelNov 3
@tuparev https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/an-ancient-greek-astronomical-calculation-machine-reveals-new-secrets/ , written by Tony Freeth (whom I met in London 15 years ago).
An Ancient Greek Astronomical Calculation Machine Reveals New Secrets

Scientists have a new understanding of the mysterious Antikythera mechanism that challenges assumptions about ancient technology

Scientific American
Show threadTikituNov 4
@axel there’s a guy with a truly fantastic project, to rebuild it using period technology to figure out the manufacturing processes. His YouTube channel is well worth a look: https://youtube.com/@clickspring?si=1SkFahTeb4z5GMZn
Clickspring

I'm Chris from Clickspring, and I create videos on the Art of Clock and Watchmaking. To view some of this material in a shorter clip format, visit the second Clickspring channel: https://www.youtube.com/clickspringclips

YouTube