Abstract
In 1870 a British scholar, W.S. Jevons, built the first computer designed to solve logical problems. Inspired by Boole and Babbage, Jevons built a mechanical device implementing automated deduction. In this paper, we present in contemporary terms the basic features of Jevons’ machine. These features are related to finite-state machines and evaluation of words of a regular language. Two investigations about this machine are presented: the first one is evaluation of Jevons’ machine complexity with a real-time environment. The second one is a VLSI implementation.
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References
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Amblard, P. (1998). A Finite State Description of the Earliest Logical Computer: The Jevons’ Machine. In: Napieralski, A., Ciota, Z., Martinez, A., De Mey, G., Cabestany, J. (eds) Mixed Design of Integrated Circuits and Systems. The Springer International Series in Engineering and Computer Science, vol 434. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-5651-0_30
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-5651-0_30
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