to be the World's first programmable computer?
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the 'toy' is a mechanical boy known as the writer, the brainchild of Pierre Jaquet-Droz (1721–90), a Swiss watchmaker who became renowned for this and similar works, the writer comprises about 6000 parts and contains 40 replaceable interior cams that allow it to write – using a goose-feather quill – any text of up to 40 characters,
in other words, it’s programmable, the machine has the ability of moving its eyes as they follow the composition of letters and the refilling of the quill with fresh ink (which it briefly shakes, to prevent blotting), the writer was designed in the late 1770s, in all a trio of automata was completed, the other two known as the the Lady Musician and the Draftsman, absolutely amazing.
1 comment:
"A computer is a general purpose device that can be programmed to carry out a set of arithmetic or logical operations". (wikipedia)
As the device is able to perform 'logical' operations then I would say YES, but it is not 'general' purpose, more 'specific' purpose so maybe just classed as a 'step sequencer' even though it is 'programmable'. The jury is still out!! Hehe.
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