'One of a kind' machines in history

Some of the strangest machines ever designed and built in human history, from the world's oldest computer by the Greeks to Leonardo da Vinci's bird-wing airplane.

1. Antikythera Machine

One of the most difficult to explain ancient machines is the "Antikythera machine", discovered in 1901 in the wreck of a Roman cargo ship by sponge divers near the island of Antikythera, according to Interesting Engineering . The device dates from 87 to 205 BC and its creator's exact purpose remains a subject of puzzlement to scientists.

The Antikythera machine is said to be the world's oldest computer. (Photo: Wikimedia).

Some possible explanations for the machine suggest that this is an astronomical calculation tool or mechanical model of the solar system , used to monitor the cycles of celestial bodies such as the Moon and Earth as well as planets. other. The Antikythera machine is also described as the world's oldest analog computer, used for astronomical predictions such as the time of future solar eclipses.

When found, the device was inside a wooden box. Conservation work identified 82 separate pieces of the machine, the largest mechanism measuring 13cm in diameter and originally having 223 gears. The front of the machine has a fixed circular disc simulating the Earth's flat disc around the Sun and the 12 zodiac signs, arranged at a distance of 30 degrees. The outside of the disc has another rotating circle, symbolizing the days and months of the Egyptian calendar. When rotated, the circle has an Egyptian calendar that can match the zodiac sign. The machine operates by a small crank connected to the largest mechanism through a gear ring. This may cause the date indicator on the front disc to move. Regardless of its purpose, Antikythera was the most complex machine of its time.

2. Tesla's earthquake machine

Genius inventor Nikola Tesla created many designs and machines. Initially, he created an oscillator to produce electricity. Later, a version of the machine could create earthquakes. The original oscillator that Tesla invented used steam. Steam fed into the oscillator exits through the ports while pushing the piston up and down. The piston connects to the rotating part in the electric motor, causing it to vibrate at high speed and produce electricity.

Tesla created different versions of the device, seeking to replace the inefficient internal steam engine in the generator. However, at a party in 1935, the inventor said that a version of the oscillator could produce violent vibrations, even causing an earthquake in downtown New York City. According to news reports at the time, the machine caused an earthquake near Tesla's Manhattan laboratory, leading to the arrival of police and first responders.

Tesla shared that when he experimented with vibrations, the machine combined with the vibrations of the building and caused "a strange cracking sound". During the chaos, Tesla grabbed the hammer and hit the machine. According to him, this device could collapse the Empire State Building if attached to the beams.

3. Dynasphere

Dynasphere unicycle. (Photo: iStock).

The Dynasphere unicycle was the invention of British electrical engineer John Archibald Purves. Patent applied for in 1930. Vehicle inspired by a sketch by Leonardo da Vinci. The wheel has a cabin inside its perimeter, with enough room for the driver and one passenger. The newspaper "Modern Mechanics" in June 1932 described in detail its internal mechanism. Both sides of the inside of the wheel have grooves that can run in any direction. A motor connected to the gearbox helps the wheels move. The carriage did not topple over because its center of gravity was low enough to prevent that from happening.

Dynasphere can reach speeds of 48 km/h. What's interesting is that the journey on the Dynasphere certainly provides unique views. After building two prototypes of the carriage, Purves developed a bus version that could accommodate more people but was not feasible due to difficulty in steering and braking.

5. Ornihopter

Ornithopter is an unusual machine that allows humans to fly like birds or insects. The vehicle stays in the air by flapping its wings. Some ornithopters are manned and powered by engines, but small-scale versions are for one person only. The history of ornithopter design dates back at least 1,000 years, during which the 9th-century Andalusian poet, engineer, astronomer and inventor Abbas Ibn Ferns experimented with powered flight. Leonardo da Vinci also designed the ornithopter based on studying bird flight and sketched a machine with the passenger lying on his stomach while controlling the large wings with hand levers, foot pedals and pulleys.