[Coco] [OT] Analog computer from Radio Shack

[Andrew]

Wow!

I didn't know the Shack put out something like this (at one time). I 
have two of their other "computers" - the "logic switch-n-bulbs" one, 
and the later one with the real, somewhat-programmable-in-assembler 
microcontroller kit. However, both of these came about long after the 
one being sold on Ebay.

As far as schematics are concerned, while I don't have anything for that 
kit, I know I have seen similar schematics before for such beginning 
machines - likely old (pre-1970) PopSci or PopMech magazines, or maybe 
in a contemporary-to-the-period book on computers (also tough to find). 
Or maybe it was SciAm (Mathematical Recreations, likely)?

I can imagine such a machine being as "accurate as a slide rule", though 
- slide rules weren't very accurate (but pretty damn good for a "pair of 
sticks"! ). But then again, I am a jaded young'un who was raised with 
calculators and computers (got my CoCo 2 when I was 10-11'ish). Yes, I 
know "slide rules" came in a variety of shapes, sizes and functions (one 
of my smaller hobbies is collecting antique computer "stuff", especially 
computer books from the early days - 1940s-60s - still looking for a 
piece of Babbage's machines).

At the computer museum in San Diego, they have a display of an analog 
computer, about the size of a couple of refrigerators side-by-side, that 
was used originally in calculations used for grinding lenses of some 
sort - so they can't be too bad.

Thanks for the heads up on this unique device - way out of my current 
budget for such a thing, though it would have went nice with my collection.

-- Andrew L. Ayers
    Glendale (Phoenix), Arizona

> Message: 2
> Date: Sun, 17 Dec 2006 18:28:37 -0800
> From: "John Guin" <johnguin at hotmail.com>
> Subject: [Coco]  [OT] Analog computer from Radio Shack
> To: "'CoCoList for Color Computer Enthusiasts'" <coco at maltedmedia.com>
> Message-ID: <BAY118-DAV7A1E4AF87B3DC85E8601DD9C90 at phx.gbl>
> Content-Type: text/plain;	charset="us-ascii"
> 
> Hello all,
> 
> I just saw this on ebay (not listed by me):
> http://cgi.ebay.com/vintage-SCIENCE-FAIR-Radio-Shack-analog-computer-kit_W0Q
> QitemZ300058420692QQihZ020QQcategoryZ1247QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
> 
> It's the old analog computer from RS.  What caught my eye was the
> advertising tagline on the box: "As accurate as a slide rule!"
> 
> Heh.
> 
> Oddly enough, I used a slide rule quite regulary when in the navy.  It was a
> bearing rate computer, for any veterans out there.  Was fast but accurate?
> I guess +/- 5% is "accurate" depending on your needs.
> 
> Anyway, this computer looks pretty nice.  I can't imagine it's very
> complicated by today's standards.  Does anyone know if a schematic or DIY
> type of article is available anywhere for making one of these?
> 
> Thanks,
> John
> 
> 
> 
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> End of Coco Digest, Vol 40, Issue 39
> ************************************
>