Alternative galaxies - WAS Antikythera mechanism

[waumbek]

Clickspring Chris outlines the ultimate HSM project....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ML4tw_UzqZE&feature=em-subs_digest

[chipmaker4130]

See: http://bbs.homeshopmachinist.net/thr...ht=antikythera

[Evan]

Back when they published the x-rays of the device I studied it hard and long and drew my own model of it. It is hard to believe that the ancient Greeks could somehow do this.

[dave_r]

Why not, when you have time and a file?

[Forrest Addy]

Why not, when you have time and a file?

Don't forget skill, ti,e, suitable tools (needn't be fancy,) working drawings, a previously worked out step by step plan, and bulldog persistence

[boslab]

I have always had a feeling that they had a dividing head, it just seems sensible, ok maybe not a worm more like a quadrant but if you have all these gears, know how the thing works, it seems sensible they were using gear trains to make gears as opposed to marking out every one
Mark

[Machine]

I definitely think it's possible the Greeks completely built the mechanism using only simple hand tools, as shown here https://youtu.be/nZXjUqLMgxM?t=21m47s But I think it's likely they developed some fixtures and semi-automated processes to help build the mechanism. If they could build a mechanism this complex, that means there was a well developed lineage of simpler machines leading up to it. If they had the smarts to build the Antikythera mechanism - which they did - they had the smarts (and skill) to come up with gear cutting jigs, primitive metal cutting lathes and possibly screw threaded rods. What I'm trying to say is that they had their own South Bends...sorta.

[Toolguy]

Not to mention the motivation that you could lose important body parts if you didn't please the king!

[garyhlucas]

The only thing left to find after thousands of years is one very complex gear mechanism, and not the simpler machines that could be used to make it? Having those machines would suggest that there would be lots of examples of the skills that let you make this thing.

I would very much like to see whether the gear teeth are simple trapezoids or have involute profiles that would indicate a higher understanding of gears.

[Ohio Mike]

Nothing surprises me today except how arrogant we are that our ancestors couldn't possibly have done what they did. It doesn't surprise me there aren't tons of these things laying around they were incredibility complicated and took an fair amount of time to build. Also I have to believe this technology would have been restricted and controlled much like our stealth technology and nuclear weapons.

[reggie_obe]

The only thing left to find after thousands of years is one very complex gear mechanism, and not the simpler machines that could be used to make it? Having those machines would suggest that there would be lots of examples of the skills that let you make this thing.

I would very much like to see whether the gear teeth are simple trapezoids or have involute profiles that would indicate a higher understanding of gears.

Nothing surprises me today except how arrogant we are that our ancestors couldn't possibly have done what they did. It doesn't surprise me there aren't tons of these things laying around they were incredibility complicated and took an fair amount of time to build. Also I have to believe this technology would have been restricted and controlled much like our stealth technology and nuclear weapons.

Really? Were the machines used to make the components for this complex machine hidden somewhere in Area 50, a secret place in the Ural mountains? It took how long to progress from Bronze to Iron swords and you believe ancient man had and lost the technology to make complex machines?
It's just a likely that this mechanism was left on the planet by visitors from space.

[Norman Bain]

... It's just a likely that this mechanism was left on the planet by visitors from space.

More likely a HSM member accidently sent back in time without his trusty set of tools. Had to make do with what he had to impress the locals and make a living.

Norman

[Machine]

It's just a likely that this mechanism was left on the planet by visitors from space.

That seems unlikely. The Antikythera mechanism reflects the Greek's knowledge of the universe at that time. Which means only 5 planets and the sun, all revolving around the earth. Space aliens, being from space, would probably have known that wasn't correct.

[reggie_obe]

That seems unlikely. The Antikythera mechanism reflects the Greek's knowledge of the universe at that time. Which means only 5 planets and the sun, all revolving around the earth. Space aliens, being from space, would probably have known that wasn't correct.

Five plants visible from Earth without any type of optical instrument. So following a guideline not advancing a civilization, they provided or helped the Greeks to make a mechanism......etc.

Or something like that.
Or do you believe that in some as yet undiscovered sealed up cave is a gear shaper and a treadle lathe?

[Machine]

Five plants visible from Earth without any type of optical instrument. So following a guideline not advancing a civilization, they provided or helped the Greeks to make a mechanism......etc.

You mean don't influence or advance the civilization, as promulgated in television series like Star Trek? It might be a leap to assume ancient space aliens would adopt and adhere to the same morals and philosophies as American sci-fi television suggests. Plus, if they didn't want to influence them, why would they have given them a sophisticated clockwork gear mechanism?

Or something like that. Or do you believe that in some as yet undiscovered sealed up cave is a gear shaper and a treadle lathe

I don't know if it's locked up in a cave. But I am very confident they had tools available to them that would be almost as surprising as the Antikythera mechanism. That machine didn't come from nowhere and it certainly didn't come from space aliens.