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Thumbnail for Mechanical Computer (All Parts) - Basic Mechanisms In Fire Control Computers
HN score 13.5 · documentary

Mechanical & precision engineering

Mechanical Computer (All Parts) - Basic Mechanisms In Fire Control Computers

Excelsior10000 · Discussed on HN from 2014 to 2025

Topics and ideas

  • 01fire control computers
  • 02analog computing
  • 03us navy

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.

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Source context

Documented HN source

Explains mechanisms of fire control computers; beautiful and elegant.

“It's beautiful in its elegance! I have watched it on multiple occasions just for the sheer beauty of the mechanisms involved.”
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coreyp_1 · 2017-05 · 13 recommenders across 12 months

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