A Computer Built in 1784 - Neatorama

In the 1780s, Johann Helfrich Müller, a German engineer, was tasked with checking tables of data on the volumes of trees. To make the work go faster, he designed this machine:

Müller's calculating machine is very similar to the machine of Hahn and was based on the Stepped Drum of Leibniz, but it is larger (285 mm diameter, 95 mm height, weight 15.4 kg). It was in the form of a round box with a handle placed centrally and the number wheels concentrically arranged around the handle. It could calculate with 14 figures and its number and gear wheels could be altered to enable it to operate with non-decimal number systems.

Link -via Nerdcore | Photo: Marcin Wichary

Comments (1)

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Technically, I think this is a calculator, not a computer. A computer is generally assumed to have branching and looping capability. But this, and the inventor's proposed difference engine to calculate arithmetical progressions and even print out the results as it goes, are truly amazing in their own right.

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The object shaped like a man's head is a lock, and the other piece is a key.

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The object shaped like a manâ€™s head is a key, and the other piece is a lock.

:p

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it's one of those money purse-carrying fobs that asians used to wear when they had those kimonos and yukatas on or whatever. The string on those things is put on your belt, and then your purse could hang off of that by the purse strings.

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They are fishing weights.

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Wine bottle stoppers.

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I don't know the excact word for it, but it's suppost to be mounted to a door, and it's used for knocking.

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Its a deadly weapon of some kinde

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They are fobs for window blinds.

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It is a betel nut cracker.

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A device what put in windows to maintain them openings. They are in colonial style Briton used at houses of colonial India.

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I think it's an ornate plumbline, i.e., string with a lead weight at one end, used to provide a vertical reference line.

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It's a ancient whistle.

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Plumbob

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Plumbob for the blind

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They are used to open a vault with.

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well, i dont know what anyone else sees but, im seeing a banana.

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They actually look something like bird calls. The parts are rubbed together to make a chirping sound. Maybe that's why the guy's face looks like a cat?

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I donÂ´t know what it is, but the man looks like kaiser Wilhelm ( have a look at wikipedia: www.kleinurl.de/?nlprn0ea ).
greetings from germany, chris

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A device for cinching a rope or strap.

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A bottle stopper and bottle opener set

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The resemblance to Kaiser Wilhelm is uncanny (per Chris' statement). What Kaiser shot in the forehead by chance?

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It's a detachable keychain.

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It is a cap popper. You put little cap gun caps in it and snap it to pop them.

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It's a boat anchor.

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I think it's a childs cap toy. You insert the cap into the toy, then drop the toy onto the sidewalk. The striker moves up and sets off the cap.

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I feel that this is somehow a bottle opener.

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It's a GI joe action figure that has fallen in a vat of molten iron.

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displayed are two pieces of a latch system, most likely for a window. the head is the face of hanuman, one of the hindu gods.

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If not then some sort of hole puncher.

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It is most assuredly a Christmas ornament designed to delight the eyes of a young child.

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...part of a gumball machine.

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watch charms.

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door bell thinngy

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They are for caps. I used to have (many) that were shaped like grenades or atom bombs.

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fools, abviously some kind of banana

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One crushes the opium and the other forms it for the pipe bowl.

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it's a rollerskate key

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ahhh... A Banana for the blind!

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Some sort of clacker toy?

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Is cord stop the right word? The little thing that tightens a bag or adjusts an item of clothing with a draw string closure--it grips rather than ties. cord grip? cord stop? cord toggle? banana?

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weights for an old wall clock to wind it up and drop the weight to run the clock

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Head on, apply directly to the forehead.
Head on, apply directly to the forehead.
HEad on, apply directly to the forehead...

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Jimbo, close, amanda, last suggestion is spot on! ;o)

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Looks like a key and a weight of some kind

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Used to cast votes?

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Thanks jonno!

They are what the blind use to vote with while holding a bananna, pulling the blinds close, and unlocking it with a key.

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everyone has to hold a banana whilst making their vote, as far as im aware, its the law.

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It's a toy to blast caps - Congrats to Kent #23 for getting it right!

Chris #18 and Floyd #21, it's Admiral Dewey, not Kaiser Wilhelm. :)

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what?! you gotta be kidding me right?! a toy?? how , i just , dont see it, its too, banana-like to be a toy.

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