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Inventing the Computer

Razma

Jan 21, 2013
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Jan 21, 2013
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Actually I'm just look for advice since I have no idea where to begin.

Just for fun, I wanted to see if I could puzzle out how to build a basic mechanical/electric calculator on my own. I don't know how it's done traditionally, and I THINK I know how to read binary.

I have maybe a middle school education in mechanics.

But I'm studying logic and some basic programming, so I think I'll figure it out. I've already figured out how I'll program and store numbers.

I did some sketches and the things I need are:
Lots of little light-bulbs. (For a screen.)
Wires.
Switches.
Batteries.
Motors.
Possibly pistons and magnets, not sure.

I don't want any help on the design. I wont post it until I have a working model.

I mainly posted because I'm unsure which parts are suitable for me. I am on a strict budget, and do not know how to make the best purchase. Though, I think that smaller is better.

Would anyone be willing to offer some tips? Thanks in advance! :D
 

CocaCola

Apr 7, 2012
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Lots of websites dedicated to exactly this subject, at the end of the day to get any real functionality out of it (beyond trivial stuff) it's going to cost you a bit of money and a boat load of time...
 

(*steve*)

¡sǝpodᴉʇuɐ ǝɥʇ ɹɐǝɥd
Moderator
Jan 21, 2010
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You could google "relay computer" to see how tricky and expensive this is.
 

JimW

Oct 22, 2010
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Oct 22, 2010
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A binary relay ALU? Could be done that way, but lets look outside the box. I would find a few old decade stepper motors, maybe from some old pinball machines. And go directly to a decade based adder/subratactor. And adding another hierarchical level will let you do simple multiplication.

-Jim
 

Razma

Jan 21, 2013
2
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Jan 21, 2013
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I'm sure there are plenty of sites that do. I don't want instructions or advice on how to do it.
I just thought someone would know of a great website for those particular objects I need.

Switches, wire etc. I don't think I can get my hands on any pinball machines Jim, but I suppose I can find a place where people dump their electronics junk.
 

donkey

Feb 26, 2011
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razma what country you in?
ebay is international and will have everything, there is jaycar, element 14, digikey... the list goes on for websites
 

sjgallagher2

Jan 27, 2013
17
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Jan 27, 2013
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17
I know you said you don't want design help, but I strongly suggest you dont try and make a screen, that'd be a nightmare. If you want binary, use 1 LED per bit, and simply output answers to things, like math. Or, math. A computer literally computes, as in math! People created really good math machines before using a screen, trying to make a screen immediately is crazy!

That being said, I would love to see it when it's done! Making a screen from scratch with a middle school education in mechanics will make it tough, but seeing it will definitely shut me up about screens :) Go for it! Just don't waste too much time, after all, it took a hundred years to figure it out from some of the greatest minds, but now you have the best tools should you choose to use them... good luck, keep us posted.
 
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