MACHINE THAT PROPHESIES.

Northland Age, Volume 3, Issue 21, 2 January 1907, Page 2

MACHINE THAT PROPHESIES.

A machine that prophesies is an engine in use by the United States coast survey, which can 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 it 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 in the form of a fat book of tables every 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 all the rest. Hence the machine is so constructed that an alteration of one factor has Its effect on the others. jEfiow this is done is understood in a • measure by noting that there is a setting of 19 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 proportionate effect on all the rest. The engine was invented by Professor William Ferrell, who presented it to the Government without charge for his idea. It cost originally but £7OO, and does the work of 40 expert computers.