Re: The Future of Home Computers

In article <290920051825193670%rag@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>,
Randall Ainsworth <rag@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

> In article <BF61D276.20CBB%johncarrana@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>, John Carrana
> <johncarrana@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>
> > http://www.gc.maricopa.edu/business/sylvester/cis105/old-computer.jpg
>
> I hope you know that picture's a scam...and not a very new one at that.

Great!!!!

That is actually the main engine control room of a ship that was built
after World War II. The ship was steam powered, with steam turbine drive
for each of its propeller shafts. This is the control room for one of
the propeller shafts and associated steam and electrical systems.

The dual-wheel arrangement on the left in the picture is the Ahead and
Astern throttle wheels, which on that ship were mounted coaxially to
save space. The throttle wheels are connected to the turbine throttle
valves. During operation a man uses the wheels to adjust the position of
the throttle valves in response to speed changes signaled from the
ship's bridge. The gauges and meters in front of the throttle wheels
pertain to the steam turbine.

The other control panels to the right of the throttle panel relate to
the steam generating system and the electrical power system.

The man in the picture is a probably civilian employee of the design
contractor.

Bill

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