What was the Antikythera mechanism?
Quick Answer
The Antikythera mechanism was an ancient Greek geared device used to model astronomical cycles. Built around the 2nd century BCE, it is often called the world’s first known analog computer.
The Full Story
The Antikythera mechanism is a complex bronze device recovered from a shipwreck near the Greek island of Antikythera in 1901. It dates to around 150 to 100 BCE and used interlocking gears to track astronomical and calendrical cycles. Researchers have shown that it could predict the movements of the Sun and Moon and help model eclipses. Some reconstructions suggest it also displayed the timing of the Olympic Games and other Greek festivals. It is one of the most extraordinary examples of ancient engineering known today.
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