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Analog Computer (Heathkit EC-1)

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RDR10:
Hi,

I am looking for someone that owns an analog computer or at least has some details about one, the main goal for me is to replicate it with modern parts and donate it to a local museum for vintage computers. I would like it to be as close as possible in appearance with the original.

My first intention was to replicate Heathkit HC-1 but is not that easy to figure out all the dimensions from pictures.

Phil_G:
Just a suggestion, I've done similar and I've found that because a museum display is static, untouched, that actually a visibly-accurate, animated mock-up is better, one that appears to the casual viewer to be very busy on a problem, with moving-coil meters swinging, knobs rotating, indicator bulbs fading up and down, a 'ding' solenoid bell, an internally-looped chart recorder...  you can even coordinate a dangerous prediction with meters and chart recorders bouncing off their end-stops with red lights throbbing...
Participation is good, you could give them one nice strong pot to turn against a dial labelled 'radius' and have it show 'area of the circle' on a meter.  Feed a pot into a comparator and get them to try so set the output mid-way (which of course they can never do but it amuses them to try!) then explain its operation and where it would have an application.
Present Joe Public with a perfect replica of a Heathkit HC-1, in a glass case, doing nothing, and they will glance and move on.  Give them an animated or interactive display and they shout their kids over to see it... :)
Its rather like the animatronics that attract customers into those amazing German Christmas stores, but applied to demonstrate history and the technology of its time.
As I said, its just a suggestion, based on our own presentations.
Cheers
Phil

granzeier:
Phil has some great ideas for a museum exhibit. On the other hand, if you do want a real, working, analog computer, Practical Electronics had a nice one starting in their September 1978 issue.

https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Practical-Electronics/70s/Practical-Electronics-1978-09.pdf
https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Practical-Electronics/70s/Practical-Electronics-1978-10.pdf

Then in November, they started showing how to "program" the computer. There is even a "program" to let you play "Lunar Lander" on this thing.  :)
https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Practical-Electronics/70s/Practical-Electronics-1978-11.pdf
https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Practical-Electronics/70s/Practical-Electronics-1978-12.pdf

And, if I remember correctly, there may have been one, or two, other follow on articles about the computer later on.

I have always been interested in this project, but I have too many other things going on right now.  :(

RDR10:
Hi Phil,

For sure this will be a functional one, my intention was to make one that is also robust, there are a lot of kids and students visiting the museum and for sure needs to resist those little gremlins poking, pulling and twisting the knobs.

RDR10:

--- Quote from: granzeier on May 01, 2023, 11:37:44 am ---I have always been interested in this project, but I have too many other things going on right now.  :(

--- End quote ---

I also have some unfinished projects haunting me  :D but somehow I realized that this kind of project will also serve others in the long run. Kids nowadays have no idea how the computer industry started and even less how difficult was in the past to get a computer.

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