I continue to be obsessed with the Antikythera Mechanism
New X-ray techniques have allowed science historians to see the internal workings of what many call a 2,000 year old computer. It’s the Antikythera Mechanism, a complex Greek device made of interlocking gears that could accurately predict the motions of the sun, moon and stars — as well as eclipses. Why didn’t this device change history and lead to the invention of computers 2,000 years ago? That’s what I wondered about in a recent column.
December 13th, 2006 at 2:53 pm
Obviously it was created by a time traveler who died before he could fully explain its use to the people of that time period.
December 13th, 2006 at 11:24 pm
Ah yes. That must be it.
December 15th, 2006 at 3:26 pm
What people, especially tech oriented people, tend not to realize about technology is that it is simply the collection of tools you have. It does not really deterimine your way of life nor prevent dark ages. Far more important is the social, military, and political aspects of your culture.
The fact is that at about the time of the Anitkythera mechanism was built 95 percent of everyone in the mediterranean were poor farmers just as their families had been for thousands of years and would continue to be for over a thousands years more. They didn’t need mechanical devices like this. It didn’t make a big difference in their lives. Technology doesn’t encourage better technology! It is more important for technological and social growth that you have a stable government and healthy economy that provides economic benefits for better tech.
Take the Song dynasty in China, they started inventing a myriad of things, had a super high level of cultural refinement. But they didn’t have a military and were crushed by nomadic peoples.
Clocks were only refined and made widespread to help navigators in the age of exploration. It was in response to economic stimulus. I happen to agree strongly with the idea that slavery inhibited technological innovation. However, they did have power sources like water wheels. Sure they could have used gear driven, water powered devices to start an industrial age, but why not just have slaves do it?
Well, I’m ranting and you already state most of this in the article. Good read by the way.
December 18th, 2006 at 6:57 pm
It looks like it only took thirty years for knowledge of how to repair Su-Sung’s water clock to disappear during the Song dynasty in China, according to John Lienhard’s capsule history here: http://www.uh.edu/engines/epi1580.htm
Now, raise your hand if you’re under fifty and know how to use a slide rule. OK, I thought so.
December 23rd, 2006 at 1:11 pm
raises hand yep I do