Many
full scale
machines were built, derived directly or indirectly
from Bush's prototype, including at the Aberdeen Proving Ground (used
for ballistics calculations), University of Pennsylvania, University of
Sydney, Oslo
University, Gothenburg Sweden (1950) and in Lenningrad. By 1939 four large
Differential Analyzers had been built in the UK - (at Manchester
University, Cambridge
University, Queen's University
Belfast, and the Royal Aircraft Establishment, Farnborough).
A Meccano differential analyzer was built in Toronto by Beatrice
(Trixie) Worsley (a former student of Hartree in Cambridge). not much
is known about this machine, but some information can be found in Smillie (2004) and also online here
and here.
A very poor picture of the machine appeared on page 4 of the Toronto
Globe and Mail for December 15, 1951. See also Williams
(1994), Williams (1997), Worsley
(1948), and Worsley
(undated).
A Meccano differential analyzer with four integrators, designed by
Arthur Porter, was built at the Royal Military College of Science and
used for teaching purposes.
A Meccano differential analyzer
with two integrators was built by Prof.
J. C. Cooke at the University of Malaya, Singapore and was featured in
the Meccano Magazine for January 1951. See Anon. (1951). A
brief mention also appeared in the 1949-50 Annual Report of the
University of Malaya (Anon. (1950))
where the number of integrators is specified as three, with a fourth
soon to be added.
Model machines were
built at Macclesfield Grammar School, Radley College, and Pocklington
School, York.
Dr Gary Tee of the Mathematics Department, University of Auckland has conjectured
that at least 15 Meccano machines were in operation between 1934 and
1950.
Summary of Meccano Differential Analyzers
Summary
of Meccano Differential Analyzers
| Date |
Who
|
Where
|
Integrators
|
Reference
|
Notes
|
| Dec 1933 |
Porter, A.
|
Manchester University
|
1
|
Porter, A. private
communication.
|
Proof of concept model
to validate torque amplifier design.
|
1934
|
Hartree, D. R. &
Porter, A.
|
Manchester University
|
3
|
Hartree (1935)
|
First usable Meccano DA
with single stage (non-Meccano) torque amplifiers. Used Bonds
helical gears. Fourth integrator with dual stage torque amplifier
added later.
|
1935
|
Lennard-Jones, J.
E., Wilkes, M. V., & Bratt, J. B.
|
Cambridge University
|
5
|
Lennard-Jones (1939)
|
Used two stage torque
amplifiers. Moved to New Zealand in 1950. Now at MOTAT in
Auckland, New Zealand.
|
1937-1939
|
Worthy,
W. D.
|
Pocklington School, York
|
2
|
Worthy, P., private
communication.
|
Built by William "Digby"
Worthy, a 14 year old student at Pocklington school. No torque
amplifiers. Used belt drives for interconnect. Later exhibited at
English Electric Company
|
1937
|
Massey, H. S. W., Wylie,
J., Buckingham, R. A., & Sullivan, R.
|
Queen's University,
Belfast
|
4
|
Massey (1938)
|
Mostly custom, but used
all Meccano spur gears. Helical gears from Bonds. Moved to University
College, London in 1938. Destroyed in an air raid. According to Crank (1947), less accurate than
the
Cambridge model.
|
| <1939 |
Howlett, J.
|
L.M.S. Railway
Research Laboratory
|
unknown
|
Hartree (1946)
|
Unknown if this had any
Meccano content. (May have followed Howlett to the War Office
Projectile
Development Establishment.) |
unknown
|
Wormersley, J. R.
|
Armament Research
Department, Woolwich.
|
unknown
|
Croarken (1990) |
Destroyed in air raid in
early 1940s.
|
unknown
|
Benson, Capt. J. |
Coast Artillery
Experimental Establishment, UK
|
unknown
|
Hartree (1946) |
Substantial Meccano
content.
|
unknown
|
Sloane, R. W.
|
General Electric Co.
Research Laboratories, UK
|
unknown
|
Hartree (1946) |
Acquired by Air Defence
Research and Development Establishment (later called Radar
Research and Development Establishment).
|
1942
|
Wood, A. M.
|
Birmingham
|
2 (6
planned)
|
Wood (1942)
|
Only two integrators
ever completed.
|
unknown
|
Stone, R
|
Macclesfield Grammar
School
|
unknown
|
Crank (1947)
|
Built "several years
ago" according to Crank.
|
1948
|
Porter, A.
|
Royal Military College
of Science
|
4
|
Porter, A., private
communication. |
Used for teaching
purposes.
|
1948
|
Worsley, B.
|
Toronto
|
3
|
Worsley Archives
|
Used for teaching
purposes.
|
1951
|
Cooke, J. C.
|
Singapore
|
3-4
|
Anon. (1950)
|
|
1957
|
Barton, J. C., Campbell,
D. A., & Read, R. C.
|
University College of
the West Indes
|
2 or
more
|
Barton (1957)
|
Used for physics
calculations.
|
unknown
|
Eyres, N.
|
Radley College
|
2
|
Fargus, D., private
communication.
|
No torque amplifiers.
Still in existence.
|
|