Analog Computing Component - Cam Gear Computing Unit
Analog Computing Component - Cam Gear Computing Unit
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- Description
- This component has a dark gray metal frame and numerous linked aluminum gears. Two large parallel components mounted vertically not only have gearing around the edges but have cogs arranged in a spiral on their surfaces. These spirals link to two small round pieces mounted horizontally that each have a ring of indentations around the circumference. A mark in ink on a top component reads: 5657642. A mark on a side gear reads: A176886.
- A yellow tag reads: #75 (/) CAM GEAR (/) COMP. Unit (/) Sperry Gyro. The accession file describes #75 as a “cam gear computing unit” and says it is of “Sperry Gyro design.” Hannibal Ford worked for Sperry Gyroscope before establishing his own company.This may relate to a product of Sperry Gyroscope, not Ford Instrument Company.
- References:
- A.B. Clymer, "The Mechanical Analog Computers of Hannibal Ford and William Newell," Annals of the History of Computing, 15, #2, 1993, 19-34.
- Accession file.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Object Name
- analog computing component
- maker
- Ford Instrument Company
- place made
- United States: New York, Queens, Long Island City
- Measurements
- overall: 19.3 cm x 18.7 cm x 9.8 cm; 7 19/32 in x 7 3/8 in x 3 27/32 in
- ID Number
- 1982.0751.33
- catalog number
- 1982.0751.33
- accession number
- 1982.0751
- Credit Line
- Ford Instrument Company, Division of Sperry Rand Corporation
- subject
- Mathematics
- See more items in
- Medicine and Science: Mathematics
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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