Abstract
The application of computation models and simulations is ubiquitous, their use is key to modern science and engineering. Often described as the material culture of science, models demonstrate how natural it is for humans to encode meaning in an artefact, and then manipulate that artefact in order to derive new knowledge. Today, many familiar models are computational. They run on digital computers, and often demand extensive processing power. In becoming a primary tool for modelling, the widespread use of modern computers has shaped the very meaning of technical terms such as ’model’ and ’simulation’. But what did pre-digital modelling and simulation look like?For many, the first technology to support a form of simulation that is today recognisable as computational was electronic analogue computing.Analogue computers were a technology that was in wide use between 1940 and l970. As early modelling technologies, their history highlights the importance that modelling has always held within the history of computing.As modelling machines, analogue computers and electrical analogies represent a type of computing that was focused on knowledge generation and acquisition rather than information management and retrieval. Analogue technology provides an important window on the history of computing and its use as a modelling technology.
This chapter is based on research undertaken as part of a PhD funded by the Department of Computer Science, University of Warwick (Care, 2008). An early form of this chapter was presented at SHOT 2007, and it develops themes published in Care (2010).
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
Bromley, A.G.: Analog computing devices. In: Aspray, W. (ed.) Computing Before Computers, pp. 159–199. Iowa State University Press, Ames (1990)
Bruce, W.A.: Analyzer for subterranean fluid reservoirs. US Patent 2,423,754 (filed September 28, 1943 and granted July 8, 1947)
Burks, A.W.: The invention of the universal electronic computer—how the Electronic Computer Revolution began. Future Generation Computer Systems 18, 871–892 (2002)
Bush, V.: The differential analyzer: a new machine for solving differential equations. Journal of the Franklin Institute 212(4), 447–488 (1931)
Bush, V.: Structural analysis by electric circuit analogies. Journal of the Franklin Institute 217(3), 289–329 (1934)
Bush, V.: Instrumental analysis. Bulletin of the American Mathematical Society 42(10), 649–669 (1936)
Bush, V.: Pieces of the action. Cassell, London (1970)
Care, C.: From analogy-making to modelling: the history of analog computing as a modelling technology. Ph.D. Thesis, University of Warwick, Warwick, UK (2008)
Care, C.: Technology for modelling: electrical analogies, engineering practice, and the development of analogue computing. Springer, London (2010)
Croarken, M.G.: Early scientific computing in Britain. Clarendon, Oxford (1990)
Downing, R.A., Davies, M.C., Pontin, J.M.A., Young, C.P.: Artificial recharge of the London Basin. Hydrological Sciences Journal 17(2), 183–187 (1972)
EMI, Take liberties with time. EMIAC sales brochure, undated. EMI Music Archive: Holdings from EMI Electronics Library. Hayes, Middlesex (1960)
Fifer, S.: Analogue computation, vol. 4. McGraw–Hill, New York (1961)
Fischer, C.F.: Douglas Rayner Hartree: his life in scientific computing. World Scientific Publishing Co. (2003)
Hartley, M.G.: An introduction to electronic analogue computers. Methuen and Co., London (1962)
Hartree, D.R.: Calculating instruments and machines. University of Illinois Press, Urbana (1949); Reprinted, Charles Babbage Institute Reprint Series for the History of Computing. Tomash Publishers, Los Angeles (1984)
Hesse, M.B.: Models and analogies in science. Sheed and Ward, London (1963)
Hollingdale, S.H., Diprose, K.V.: The role of analogue computing in the aircraft industry. Typeset report of the Computation Panel of the ARC. Dated 7th January. National Archives: TNA DSIR 23/21372 (1953)
Hollingdale, S.H., Toothill, G.C.: Electronic computers. Penguin Books, London (1970)
Jerie, H.G.: Block adjustment by means of analogue computers. Photogrammetria 14, 161–176 (1958)
Karplus, W.J., Soroka, W.W.: Analog methods. McGraw-Hill, New York (1959)
MacKay, D.M., Fisher, M.E.: Analogue computing at ultra-high speed. Chapman & Hall, London (1962)
Mindell, D.A.: Between human and machine: feedback, control, and computing before cybernetics. John Hopkins University Press, Baltimore (2002)
Morgan, M.S., Boumans, M.: Secrets hidden by two-dimensionality: the economy as a hydraulic machine. In: de Chadarevian, S., Hopwood, N. (eds.) Models: The Third Dimension of Science, pp. 369–401. Stanford University Press, Stanford (2004)
Northrup, E.F.: Use of analogy in viewing physical phenomena. Journal of the Franklin Institute 166(1), 1–46 (1908)
Owens, L.: Vannevar Bush and the differential analyzer: the text and context of an early computer. Technology and Culture 27(1), 63–95 (1986)
Philbrick, G.A.: A Lightning Empiricist literary supplement 3, preliminary edition. Philbrick/Nexus Research, A Teledyne Company, Debham, MA (1969)
Philbrick, G.A.: The philosophy of models. Instruments and Control Systems 45(5), 108–109 (1972)
Rushton, K.R.: Studies of slotted-wall interference using an electrical analogue: Aeronautical Research Council, Ministry of Aviation, Reports and Memoranda, UK, R & M No. 3452 (1967)
Selfridge, R.G.: Coding a general-purpose digital computer to operate as a differential analyzer. In: ACM, AIEE and IRE Western Joint Computer Conference, pp. 82–84 (1955)
Small, J.S.: The analogue alternative: the electric analogue computer in Britain and the USA 1930-1975. Routledge, London (2001)
Southwell, R.V.: Use of soap films for determining theoretical streamlines round an aerofoil in a wind tunnel. Technical report, Aeronautical Research Council. National Archives: TNA DSIR 23/1710 (1922)
Stenström, L.: The Saab gradient tank. Saab Sonics 12, 18–24 (1949)
Thomson, J.: On an integrating machine having a new kinematic principle. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London 24, 262–265 (1876a)
Thomson, W. (First Baron Kelvin): Mechanical integration of the general linear differential equation of any order with variable coefficients. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London 24, 271–275 (1876b)
Thomson, W. (First Baron Kelvin): Harmonic analyzer. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London 27, 371–373 (1878)
Thomson, W. (First Baron Kelvin): Notes on lectures on molecular dynamics and the wave theory of light. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore (1884)
Tympas, A.: From digital to analog and back: the ideology of intelligent machines in the history of the electrical analyzer, 1870s-1960s. IEEE Annals of the History of Computing 18(4), 42–48 (1996)
Tympas, A.: Perpetually laborious: computing electric power transmission before the electronic computer. International Review of Social History 48(supplement 11), 73–95 (2003)
Water Resources Board, Artificial recharge of the London basin: electrical analogue model studies. The National Archives of the UK (TNA): Public Record Office (PRO) AT 5/36 (1973)
Welbourne, D.: Analogue computing methods. Pergamon Press, London (1965)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2012 Springer-Verlag GmbH Berlin Heidelberg
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Care, C. (2012). Early Computational Modelling: Physical Models, Electrical Analogies and Analogue Computers. In: Bissell, C., Dillon, C. (eds) Ways of Thinking, Ways of Seeing. Automation, Collaboration, & E-Services, vol 1. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-25209-9_5
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-25209-9_5
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg
Print ISBN: 978-3-642-25208-2
Online ISBN: 978-3-642-25209-9
eBook Packages: EngineeringEngineering (R0)