The Worlds Oldest Computer is a lot older than you think

The sea was angry. The crew, worried. Rightfully so. The Captain, usually so unshakable, looked scared. His face completely white, his eyes struggled to focus. Gripping the wheel tightly, he wrestled with the ship but it did no good.

As water starts to spill over the side of the boat, he knew. They all knew. They were going into the Mediterranean sea this day. Each man mutters a prayer to the Gods. Abandon Ship! Abandon Ship! There’s no other choice. Try to swim for Antikythera, the closest Island and hope the waves don’t take you.

2000 Years Later – 1901

The wreck of the Antikythera (named because of the island it was found close to), is discovered in 1901. A cargo ship of its time, found on the seabed at a depth of 45 metres (148ft). The ship was full of artefacts. Coins, jewellery, pottery, glassware and statues made of bronze and marble. A veritable treasure trove. But something else too. A curious looking system of corroded bronze gears, held together with wood.

After study, it was believed that these gears could not be from the same period as the rest of the find. Considered as simply too complex, the find is left in a storeroom gathering dust, for 70 years.

Discovery of the World’s Oldest Computer

In 1971, two scientists made x-ray images of the piece. It was a revelation. But only in the scientific community. This crusty, fused together gearing system was dated as being from 100 BCE. Not only that, but it also contained the first known scientific dials.

In 2006, it underwent a CT scan. Which revealed much more detailed findings.

Using differential gears (which wouldn’t be seen in a mechanism such as this again until 1720) a crank allows equations to be solved. At least seven hands would have turned at different speeds, each revealing their own workings.

Celestial time, based on the movements of the planets and sun, Phases of the moon, star charts with inscriptions. It even had a calendar and a way to show Lunar and Solar eclipses.

Until its discovery, Babbage’s difference engine in the mid 1800’s was considered to be the first analogue computer. The Antikythera mechanism has it beat. By a lot.

The sheer complexity is shown in the virtual model video above. It’s only 3 minutes long but shows all the features of the world’s oldest computer.

Hidden Inscriptions

Not hidden as in the original creator hid them. More like, 2000 years of decay completely obscured them. Until the CT scan. Listed is a dial displaying the names of major festivals, including the Olympics. Festivals held in Northwest Greece and the Island of Rhodes give us further clues.

A theory is that the philosopher Posidonius (135 BCE – 51 BCE) could be the creator. Cicero, the Roman Scholar who studied under him, talks of Posidonius making a model of the heavens in his workshop on the island of Rhodes.

Whoever made it, it is a remarkable achievement. If I were to write all of its abilities here, the article would be ten times longer than it is. The Antikythera mechanism is that complex.

It remains the only one found. The Antikythera mechanism sits at the pinnacle of engineering for the time. A genuine marvel.

Sources:

Antikythera mechanism (britannica.com)

Decoding the Antikythera mechanism (smithsonianmag.com)

Antikythera mechanism (sciencedaily.com)

Antikythera mechanism (wikipedia.org)

Image Header (pixabay.com)