MACHINE THAT PROPHESIES.

Lake County Press, Issue 2137, 27 September 1906, Page 7

MACHINE THAT PROPHESIES.

A machine t hat prophesies is an engine in use by the Pnited Slates coast survey, which call and does predict the time of high and low tide for a given locality, and makes these predictions for a year in advance Its performance is not limited to a year, but that is the maximum of work il is usually called upon to do. It is compact and delicate to a degree not easy to appreciate. To make these tidal predictions, which are issued iii the form of a fat book of tables ('very year by the survey, the machine is first set, then operated by hand. As may be surmised, the setting of the machine, is the point, at which accurate mechanism and the human brain join forces. There are 19 factors to be determined in making tidal predictions. Each factor alters till the rest. Hence the machine is so constructed that an alteration of one factor hits Its effect on the others. How this is done is understood in a measure by noting that there is a setting of P.' dials, with pointers. Each pointer is on a pulley mounted eccentrically on its shaft, and over this pulley passes a cha n which goes from one to another. obviously . if the eccentricity of one pulley is altered, it has its proport innate effect on all ihe rest. The engine was invented by Professor William Pencil, who presented it. to the Government without charge for his idea. It cost originally but £7(1(1, and docs the work of 10 expert computers.