The Antikythera mechanism is a 2100+ year old computer that could predict eclipses using the 235-month Metonic cycle. Similar machines didn’t reappear again for 1500 more years, and the Antikythera device is more compact than the much later models. Advanced imaging techiques have revealed even more anachronistic awesomeness from this sucker:
Using nothing but an ingenious system of gears, the mechanism could be used to predict the month, day and hour of an eclipse, and even accounted for leap years. It could also predict the positions of the sun and moon against the zodiac, and has a gear train that turns a black and white stone to show the moon’s phase on a given date. It is possible that it could also show the astronomical positions of the planets known to the ancients: Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn.
The Antikythera mechanism wasn’t just a scientific tool – it also had a social purpose. The Greeks held major athletic competitions (such as the Olympics) every two or four years. A small dial within the Metonic dial showed the dates of these important events.
The true genius of the mechanism goes beyond even the complex calculations and craftsmanship of a mechanical calendar. For example, the ancients didn’t know that the moon has an elliptical orbit, so they didn’t know why it sometimes slowed or sped up as it moved through the zodiac. The mechanism’s creator used epicyclic gears, also known as planetary gears, with a “pin-and-slot” mechanism that mimicked this apparent shifting in the moon’s movement. This use of epicyclic gears is far ahead of what anyone suspected ancient technology was capable of. [io9]
There’s a video below showing a replica of the Antikythera in action. Somebody living in 150 B.C. built this thing and I can’t even get my laptop to stop asking me to buy McAfee. Then again, I don’t wipe with rocks and clay, so who’s the genius now, mysterious ancient Greek inventor?
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Nic Cage plans to steal this and use it as a PDA.
And here I thought I was the only one that watched Ancient Discoveries on History Channel.
Next there will be a papyrus delivered to Marty from Doc Brown explaining he is stuck in 150BC. Marty will travel back to rescue him when he finds out Doc Brown will be killed in gladiatorial combat. Then they will have to use Greek Fire to power the Delorean to return home.
WOW! I put way too much thought into that.
Psssssh. It can’t play solitaire!? What a piece of shit this thing is.
I don’t know if an eagle could steal that.
I can remember when they bought up the device, from the shipwreck, and it caused a sensation.
The ad starts by telling you that flowers suck. But then, as the last thing to convince you to order…if you buy now…flowers!
Gary Mac Donald — you remember when this was brought up from the shipwreck? In 1901?
Regardless of how silly some may think the “recreation” of this device may be, I applaud the gentleman his patience and skill in making such a unique working model or device. It is truly beautiful and would be a great conversation piece on your mantle… Any one of you have the skill and devotion to give this a try? I doubt it!
“Then again, I don’t wipe with rocks and clay, so who’s the genius now, mysterious ancient Greek inventor?” Well, seeing as they didn’t, in fact, wipe with rocks and clay, my money’s on them. Nothing personal.