A mechanical computer is a computer that, instead of being powered by electricity and electrical parts, uses mechanical parts. Unlike electronic computers, which can run on their own thanks to electricity, a mechanical computer receives power from an external source: the user. To use this computer, the operator must continually pump a crank, perhaps thousands of times, to perform a calculation. This computer is often considered the first stage of the modern computer and was primarily used until the late 1940s, although there have been some uses since then. Although this computer had many varied uses, it was commonly used for calculations, navigation, and with missiles and torpedoes during wars.
A mechanical computer.
When someone mentions a computer, they are usually referring to an electronic computer that is powered by electricity and contains many chips and circuits. In contrast, a mechanical computer relies on mechanical parts. Common parts include gears, screws, pulleys, and levers, with levers being perhaps one of the most memorable parts due to the loud noise operators make when they are pulled. Even after the advent of electronic computers, this computer was still built with mechanical parts based on design aesthetics and the benefits of using mechanical parts, such as substantially lower power requirements and increased durability.
A mechanical computer does not have an electrical power source, so it relies on the user to provide power. This is most commonly done by the constant movement and tapping of a lever, which moves the mechanical parts. Simple calculations can be done in several lever pulls, while complex equations can take thousands.
In the list of pre-electronic computing devices, the mechanical computer is often considered to be the first device that appeared and functioned as the modern computer. Apart from using different parts, another big difference between a mechanical computer and an electronic one is that the mechanical one cannot run processes without human interaction, while the electronic computer can run processes automatically. This computer was primarily used during the 1940s in World War II, but saw continued use afterward.
As with most computers, the mechanical computer has many different operations and uses. Perhaps the most famous is as a calculator and ticker, both with functions that can be calculated more quickly by a machine than by a human. This computer has also been used to navigate ships, missiles, and torpedoes. Hobbyists sometimes make this computer, either for fun or for functional purposes.
