The Antikythera mechanism dates from the first or second century BC. It is an ancient Greek analog computer that calculated time and events such as the appearances of stars and planets and how they coordinated with years and even Greek festivals. In this TED-Ed lesson, we get an explanation of what a computer is and how analog computing works as compared to digital computing. (via Damn Interesting)
Friday, February 13, 2026
The Antikythera Mechanism
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Any conversation about the Antikythera mechanism should include the work catalogued on the YouTube channel: Clickspring.
The man behind the channel is recreating Antikythera mechanism piece-by-piece, using only the technological processes known to the ancient Greeks, including crafting all of his own tools (and the tools to make those tools). Hand-crafted files saws and drills, a bow-operated lathe, animal skin-derived glues, slate stone sanding and grinding surface, etc.
I think he has been at it for more than ten years now, and it's the painstaking journey has been beautifully documented on the YouTube channel.
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