off-the-wall question (possibly OT)

From: Peter Joules <msteele_at_joules.enterprise-plc.com>
Date: Fri Apr 2 03:43:44 1999

> Has anybody here ever heard a relay machine running, like one
> of the early Zuse machines or the Harvard Mark-1?

In the 70s I worked in the lab at a foundry and the atomic emission
spectrophotometer which we used had a 'computer' biult from relays
to integrate the signal. It then printed the results out using an
electric typewriter which deoubled as a printer.

I remember that, when relays stuck we had to resurface them by filing
the contacts with a diamond dust coated spatula.


> I've heard
> descriptions of them sounding like a thousand women knitting,
> which could sort-of describe that robot sound-effect as well...
>

I suppose it could be described like that ;-)

Regards
Pete
Received on Fri Apr 02 1999 - 03:43:44 BST