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From: peter@ficc.ferranti.com (peter da silva)
Subject: Re: Pneumatic computers (yes, air-pressure powered)
Message-ID: <_1KBHZB@xds13.ferranti.com>
Keywords: Van Alyn,ancient
Organization: Ferranti International Controls Corporation
References: <1991May24.231620.15367@digi.lonestar.org>
Date: Sat, 25 May 91 14:41:09 GMT

In article <1991May24.231620.15367@digi.lonestar.org>, crichmon@digi.lonestar.org (Charles Richmond) writes:
> Fifteen or so years ago I heard that in the '60's there were
> computers constructed that ran from air pressure.

Sure, fluidic computers had a lot of advantages over electronics. Apart from
the EMI resistence, they're quite rugged in other ways. Plus, there's a
major savings on transducers: you can often feed a signal in mechanically,
from pressure and position sensors. I visited an old WWII-era sub once, the
HMAS ocvens, and navigation was supported by fluidic hardware.

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

There was a Scientific American article on it 10 or so years ago. Check your
local library. Pre-'80s Scientific Americans are fun to read anyway.

BTW: Putting "followup-to: net" is a good way not to get answers.
-- 
Peter da Silva; Ferranti International Controls Corporation; +1 713 274 5180;
Sugar Land, TX  77487-5012;         `-_-' "Have you hugged your wolf, today?"