Jaquet-Droz Writing Automaton: First Computer?
Here is nice video of the internal mechanism of Pierre Jaquet-Droz's writing automaton.
The text to be written by the automaton could be programmed. By some people's definition, The Writer is an early -- perhaps the first -- version of the computer, having an input method, programmable instructions, and an output display.
Computer or no, this is a work of unparalleled craftsmanship. That it still works today, hundreds of years later is a testament to its excellent design and construction.
This and two other Jacquet-Droz automata are on display at the Musée d'Art et d'Histoire of Neuchâtel, in Switzerland.
This video is from TIL Productions, by Director Philippe Sayous of www.automates-anciens.com
The text to be written by the automaton could be programmed. By some people's definition, The Writer is an early -- perhaps the first -- version of the computer, having an input method, programmable instructions, and an output display.
Computer or no, this is a work of unparalleled craftsmanship. That it still works today, hundreds of years later is a testament to its excellent design and construction.
This and two other Jacquet-Droz automata are on display at the Musée d'Art et d'Histoire of Neuchâtel, in Switzerland.
This video is from TIL Productions, by Director Philippe Sayous of www.automates-anciens.com
Labels: antique, automaton, Jaquet-Droz, Switzerland, video
posted by Dug North on 3/31/2008
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