Random pic 2 November 2024
Tide-predicting machine, 1872 (Science Museum, South Kensington) An early - analogue - computer? https://flic.kr/p/2qqAaHqThis machine was invented by the physicist and engineer William Thomson to predict the motion of tides. This was no simple matter in the 1870s.
First Thomson gathered a large amount of tide data from around Britain's coastline. Then he used the mathematical technique known as harmonic analysis to break down the complicated tidal motion into a series of simpler components. Finally, he used this machine to recombine them for future tides. Cranking the handle for four hours gave him tidal predictions for one year.'All the work hitherto has been
accomplished by sheer calculation; but
calculation of so methodical a kind that
a machine ought to be found to do it.'
William Thomson, 1891Lent by: British Association for the Advancement of Science
Object no: 1876-1129
[Information from museum label]
Michael Ixer ● 230d0 Comments