You know, sometimes counting is difficult. 1,2,3… Uhg, Eleventy! Maybe you need a machine to help you along. A counting machine perhaps? An electro-mechanical machine!? How about a 3D printed electro-mechanical machine? One which runs on of the pure, unadulterated power of PUNCH CARDS? YES!
3D Printed Electro-Mechanical Computer
Chris Fenton, who describes himself as a Cunning Artificer on his blog, has been in the process of creating an amazing working replica of an old-school computing mechanism. This punch card reader is part of the device in his on-going electromechanical computer project.
Parts of his computer are being printed off by a Makerbot at NYC Resistor, a Brooklyn-based Hackerspace, that Chris is a part of. At the moment, it only has basic functionality – reading punch cards – but it’s a start – And man, would Charles Babbage be excited. (High five C.B.) But why would anyone want to make a 3D printable computer? When posed this question, Mr. Fenton answered “Because I have a 3D Printer, and I can.” Stellar answer. But hey, do you suppose this sets the stage for an AI to print itself a copy? Hmm… famous last words?
Mr. Fenton is in the process of building this 1/10th scale model Cray-1 ‘Supercomputer’. Although, the 70’s era machine ran at a pokey 80 Mhz, it was a revolutionary piece of hardware. Asthetically speaking, the Cray-1 was quite beautiful – props to Fenton for faithfully recreating it. Best of all, this is a working model. Inside is a motherboard with the same architecture and processor speed.
Neat-O! But does it blend? I hope not. If you’re in the NYC area, Fenton will be showing off his 3D printed electro-mechanical computer at the 3rd Annual NYCR Interactive Show on May 19th under the Theme of Physical meets Digital. Tickets are here.
