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1935 Meccano "Dam Busters" Computer Restored
rob1959 writes "A 1935 analog computer, built at Cambridge University and used to help plan the Dam Busters attacks on the Ruhr hydro dams in World War II, has been restored and put on display at Auckland's Museum of Transport and Technology. The computer came to NZ around 1950 and was used, ironically, to build hydro dams there — and to calculate rabbit population numbers."
Churchill's job was to win the war and ensure that the British interests were treated favourably in the aftermath; while Operation Chastise didn't do much for the former it was a helpful boost of towards achieving the latter. There's also the propaganda value of such a media friendly attack, important after three years of war without any major offensive victories outside of North Africa. Far more people and capital have been sacrificed for far less reward.
A, the raid was the first major blow the allies, especially england, managed to land againt the seeminly invincible germans. The raid proved that the germans could be hit, and deep inside their own country too. Morale matters, ask the americans about it sometime.(Vietnam, current conflict)
B, it forced german forces to be relocated inland to defend other possible targets from air attack. Every piece of equipment and soldier NOT at the front meant german fighting power was reduced.
C, the damage had to be repaired and this took precious resources the german never had enough off.
D, you are taking the word of a nazi about how effective an allied action was? Why don't we ask Microsoft for the their honest review of the PS3 next?
E, this one is a bit more complex and requires you to think for a bit, something I doubt you are capable off.
German war production was on the rise. Lets say at the start of the year I have a car factory that produces 1000 cars each month. BUT I am also increasing production every month by 100 cars. So by the end of the year I should be producing 2200 cars right?
Okay, now you bomb that in may (production has rissen to 1500 cars) factory. I am out of action for say a mere 2 months. I then claim that I august am producing the same number of cars as before the bombing, namely 15 cars.
AH, all is well right?
Not exactly, first I am missing the production of june/juli 1600 and 1700 cars PLUS I should have product 1800 cars in augustus, NOT 1500.
The statement "back to pre-XXXXX levels" is a standard piece of mis-information that the stupid, like you, always fall for.
What counts is what wasn't produced during that period and how much it has slowed the growth of the economy.
This kind of devices were used to calculate differential equations using hydro-mechanical analogues of differentiators and integrators. Basically, this sort of calculating machine would be easiest implemented today, using operational amplifiers and discrete components such as resistors and capacitors (or even inductances).
To be honest, in 1935 there were electronic tubes, and such a machine could have been implemented with them, therefore electronically. But probably the complexity and low reliability of electronic tubes of the time had rendered it unviable.
"The agriculture ministry is not in charge of Gundam" - Japanese ministry official.