Mechanical Fire Control Computers Explained

[Tarnsman]

Seven fascinating videos produced by the US Navy to explain the mechanisms used to solve fire control problems in mechanical computers.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mpkTHyfr0pM&NR=1

This is the first part of seven.

I have always been curious how mechanical computers work, this is a very clear and thorough explanation from the original training films.

[TorpX]

Good find.
I would like to find something written about the practical aspects of how these were used on action (especially in large warships).

[razark]

Just finished watching these. Awesome stuff. Seeing how these mechanical computers actually worked is amazing.

[sharkbit]

Those were really cool. :yeah:

:)

[Tarnsman]

Now I am curious who actually built these machines and how. Getting all of the components to fit together, the precision machining and intricacy makes an internal combustion engine look simple.

[gutted]

awesome stuff

[Fish40]

Now I am curious who actually built these machines and how. Getting all of the components to fit together, the precision machining and intricacy makes an internal combustion engine look simple.


The TDC was built by the ARMA Corp. of Brooklyn NY.:yep:

[TorpX]

The HNSA (Historic Naval Ships Association) has some manuals about fire control fundamentals on their website.

http://www.hnsa.org/doc/firecontrol/index.htm

[Dogfish40]

Now I am curious who actually built these machines and how. Getting all of the components to fit together, the precision machining and intricacy makes an internal combustion engine look simple.

The Swiss???:haha:

[Tarnsman]

When I was growing up and studying math and science, my teachers were mostly older men who were my grandparents age.

We wanted to use electronic calculators in class, and some of us had had Commodore or Tandy computers at home. Our teachers thought we were pathetic, and talked about things like slide rules and french curves.

Watching these videos I think they were right. But they did get enough across so I can at least understand what the films are talking about.

[TorpX]

When I was growing up and studying math and science, my teachers were mostly older men who were my grandparents age.

We wanted to use electronic calculators in class, and some of us had had Commodore or Tandy computers at home. Our teachers thought we were pathetic, and talked about things like slide rules and french curves.

Watching these videos I think they were right. But they did get enough across so I can at least understand what the films are talking about.
Yeah, I know what you mean.
I took a AP chemistry class in high school. We all considered it to be an arduous course, and, at the time it was, but she told us a little about the post Sputnik era when the science and math classes were really pushed. I think that was the most important lesson I learned in that class.