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From: crichmon@digi.lonestar.org (Charles Richmond)
Newsgroups: alt.folklore.computers,comp.arch
Subject: Pneumatic computers (yes, air-pressure powered)
Keywords: Van Alyn,ancient
Message-ID: <1991May24.231620.15367@digi.lonestar.org>
Date: 24 May 91 23:16:20 GMT
Followup-To: net
Organization: none
Lines: 17

Fifteen or so years ago I heard that in the '60's there were
computers constructed that ran from air pressure.  No electronics,
just air pressure.  These were constructed to fly through the
high-radiation van Alyn (sp?) belt that surrounds the earth.
Electronic computers were driven mad by the radiation, so the
pneumatic computers (although much slower) were used.

Does anybody know about this?  Are any such computers in
existence today?  (Hey, even if you only HEARD about it, that
would indicate that I did not dream it . . .)

I would like to learn about the construction and technology
involved with these pneumatic machines.

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       Charles Richmond        crichmon@digi.lonestar.org