documentary · intro · evergreen
Mechanical Computer (All Parts) - Basic Mechanisms In Fire Control Computers
Excelsior10000 · Jul 13, 2011 · 41m 53s
What this video covers
A 1953 US Navy training film explaining the basic mechanisms in mechanical fire control computers aboard ships. It shows how gears, differentials and cams solved mathematical problems in permanent mechanical form.
Why it surfaced in Hacker News
HN commenters repeatedly recommend it as a beautiful, approachable explanation of analog mechanical computation, and many have rewatched it.
- 13
- distinct recommenders
- 12
- recommendation months
- 4
- strong recommendations
Recommendation context
Short excerpts from positive mentions. Open the source to read the full Hacker News discussion.
“It's beautiful in its elegance! I have watched it on multiple occasions just for the sheer beauty of the mechanisms involved.”
“It illustrates the problems and solutions near perfectly, and I've watched it way too many times.”
“I highly recommend it. It's a fascinating trip into engineering, computing, and the past.”