Enjoyed this short video on a fascinating artifact called the Antikythera Mechanism. Nowadays we think of a computer as something with a silicon chip inside. But this was a mechanical computer, made by the ancient Greeks. It had intricate precision gears, like a fancy Swiss watch, but is more than 2,000 years old!
The device was discovered in an ancient shipwreck off Antikythera Island in 1901 (hence the name). But only fairly recently could scientists look inside the device, using advanced 3D x-ray and modelling technology. They were astonished to find the device did astronomical calculations, to track the movements of the sun, moon and (maybe) planets, and even predict eclipses!
Today, anyone can download smartphone apps that accurately track galaxies, stars, planets, asteroids and more. But nobody imagined the ancient Greeks had the technology and engineering to conceive and create such a sophisticated device!
We are not cleverer than previous generations, but stand on their shoulders. We too should aspire to create and leave something for future generations to marvel at. – LHL
