Mechanical Integrators and Differential Analyzers -- Resources

Resources

J. Barrow-Green, “An Exquisite Machine”: Olaus Henrici’s Harmonic Analyser,” Mathematical Instruments between Material Artifacts and Ideal Machines: Their Scientific and Social Role before 1950. Oberwolfach Reports, 2017, 14 #4, pp. 3506–3510.

A.G. Bromley, “Analog Computing Devices,” in Computing before Computers, ed. W. Aspray, Ames: Iowa State University Press, 1990, pp. 156-199.

B.A. Clymer, The Mechanical Analog Computers of Hannibal Ford and William Newell. IEEE Annals of the History of Computing, 1993, vol. 15 #2, pp. 19–34.

T. J. Greenslade, “The Acoustical Apparatus of Rudolph Koenig,” Physics Teacher, 1992, vol. 30, pp. 518-524. This article discusses the manometric harmonic analyzer.

T.J. Greenslade, “Adventures with Historical Physics Apparatus,” American. Journal of Physics, vol. 88 #10, 2020, 864-870.

O. Henrici, “On a New Harmonic Analyzer,” The London, Edinburgh and Dublin Philosophical Journal, 5th ser., v.38 (Jul.-Dec. 1894), pp. 110-121 describes a harmonic analyzer of Henrici, as modified and manufactured by Coradi. An article that follows by Henrici’s associate Archibald Sharp describes the latter’s contributions to Henrici’s instrument. Coradi would make further modifications to the product.

P. A. Holst, "Svein Rosseland and the Oslo Analyzer," IEEE Annals of the History of Computing, 1996, vol. 18 #4, pp. 16-26.

R. K. Otnes, “Notes on Mechanical Fourier Analysis,” Journal of the Oughtred Society, 2008, vol. 17 #1, pp. 34-41.

L. Owens, “Vannevar Bush and the Differential Analyzer: The Text and Context of an Early Computer.” Technology and Culture, 1986, vol. 27 # 1, pp. 63–95.

S. Puchta, "On the Role of Mathematics and Mathematical Knowledge in the Invention of Vannevar Bush's Early Analog Computers," IEEE Annals of the History of Computing, 1996, vol. 18, no. 4, pp. 49-59.

C. E. Seashore, "New Approaches to the Science of Voice." The Scientific Monthly, 1939, vol. 49 #4 pp. 340-50.

A. Tympas, “Like the Poor, the Harmonics Will Always Be with Us,” Calculation and Computation in the Pre-electronic Era. History of Computing. London: Springer, 2017.