The same engineer also built a Lego Babbage difference engine: http://acarol.woz.org/difference_engine.html Anyone know what Mr. Carol works on at Apple?
I've read OS X.
Apple engineer uses Lego to rebuild Antikythera mechanism
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Re: Apple engineer uses Lego to rebuild Antikythera mechanism
#12According to Aristotle, we uncover theoretical knowledge by exploring that which has no practical (action-based) or productive (product-based) result; and what we possess is that which is known only for its own sake, for the sheer pleasure of knowing.
I've often thought a similar distinction can be made in engineering, where the product is created for its own sake, for the sheer pleasure of seeing it exist. This is one of those. An amazing piece of work. Bravo.
Re: Apple engineer uses Lego to rebuild Antikythera mechanism
#13Gears doing math and the adding is especially amazing.
Then realize they figured that out over 2000 years ago.
Re: Apple engineer uses Lego to rebuild Antikythera mechanism
#14This is probably the first time in my life that my jaw has literally dropped while watching an invention/recreation in action. Absolutely incredible.
Direct link to the video:
Re: Apple engineer uses Lego to rebuild Antikythera mechanism
#15Say what you will about Apple, their products, or their business model, but I've always found their engineers to be the pinnacle of quality and hacker culture.
Re: Apple engineer uses Lego to rebuild Antikythera mechanism
#16I've always thought that "Math with gears" would be a fascinating elective course and should be included with most engineering programs.
Re: Apple engineer uses Lego to rebuild Antikythera mechanism
#17What should really blow your mind is the precision of the original metalworking and gearing, well before the age of clockmaking and watchmaking.
An item like that to spring in to existence without any record of a history leading up to it or a history of devices descending from it really makes you wonder whose imagination it sprang from and why it wasn't recognized that these principles had further application, or, alternatively could point to lots of stuff (including knowledge) getting lost.
Re: Apple engineer uses Lego to rebuild Antikythera mechanism
#18The video is definitely very impressive, but I'm still far more impressed by the fact someone made this in 100 BC than that someone re-created it in 2010 AD. I had never heard of the Antikythera mechanism before.
Well of course, that's why the Antikythera mechanism is so unique. But that doesn't mean making it in Lego isn't kickass!
Re: Apple engineer uses Lego to rebuild Antikythera mechanism
#19He is a long time redditor. Gave some more info in this reddit post: http://www.reddit.com/r/science/comments/ej948/lego_antikyth...
Re: Apple engineer uses Lego to rebuild Antikythera mechanism
#20Kudos to the director as well. The video wowed me as much as the machine it self.
Making of post here: