Working "Lost in Space" Analog Computer Replica

[Homer J Simpson]

[German_EE]

How can it be analog if there are flashing lights showing its operation? I always thought that blinkenlights were a digital thing.

[rstofer]

I don't know where 'analog' comes in, the unit is based on a Burroughs B205 digital computer.
It simply doesn't have the parameter potentiometers required for an analog computer nor does it have a patchboard.

http://www.cs.virginia.edu/brochure/images/manuals/b205/central/central.html

versus

https://www.bing.com/images/search?q=analog+computer&FORM=IARRTH&ufn=analog+co

[Brumby]

1. The Burroughs B205 provided nothing more than the carcass - principally the front panel.  Everything else is from the prop department.

2. The word 'analogue' is used once in that clip - and it is not used accurately.

They talk about the powering and switch operation that drives the lights and they should have said 'electro-mechanical'.  The intent, as I saw it, was to make the distinction that the light patterns were NOT created by digital circuitry ... and they just used the first word that came to mind.  It wasn't the technically correct word, but in unscripted conversation that sometimes happens.  Dave has done it - and we understand what he meant anyway.


It's no big deal.  Really.

[Seekonk]

I have a fondness for "Lost in Space".  My wife bought a box of Christmas tree lights in a box for $3 at a flea market.  The box was Robbie the Robot.  I sold it on ebay for $200 + shipping.