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Ancient Computer

The World's First Computer: Decoding the Antikythera Mechanism

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  • Documentary

Overview

In 1900, a storm blew a boatload of sponge divers off course and forced them to take shelter by the tiny Mediterranean island of Antikythera. Diving the next day, they discovered a 2,000 year-old Greek shipwreck. Among the ship's cargo they hauled up was an unimpressive green lump of corroded bronze. Rusted remnants of gear wheels could be seen on its surface, suggesting some kind of intricate mechanism. The first X-ray studies confirmed that idea, but how it worked and what it was for puzzled scientists for decades. Recently, hi-tech imaging has revealed the extraordinary truth: this unique clockwork machine was the world's first computer.

Keywords

  • computer
  • ancient
  • greece

Details

Status
Released
Release date
April 3, 2013
Original language
English
Spoken languages
English
Countries
United States of America
Production
WGBH,GBH
Budget
Not recorded
Revenue
Not recorded
Ancient Computer (2013) | Kinocult