This US Navy training video at GENE SLOVERS US NAVY PAGES website shows how the 1950s mechanical fire control computers worked. It is explained simply enough for a layman to understand. I found it fascinating to watch. It is crazy to think that the ballistic software on my $199 iPod Touch can do nearly everything that this huge mechanical device did.
UPDATE: Part 2 can be watched online here. Thanks to Steve for the link.
One thing that I think is amazing to consider with all that mechanical gearing, especially the weird cam shapes is there were no computer controlled machines back then to make easy work of making those things. Someone had to figure out a purely mechanical way to accurately make those funny shapes.
0 
0Whatever, I LOVE the “3D” (2 input) cams. What a clever idea. I would never have thought that up.
0 0“And technically, analog computers still hold the edge in processing speed. There is no CPU in the generation of analogue outputs. It’s instant.”
Analog computers have to move to calculate, meaning there is a limit to how fast they can calculate.
Neat videos. I am glad this stuff doesn’t end up being lost.
0 0how the F did they do long division back then?
0 0Destroyer, you didn’t watch the video did you ? 
Pretty easily using gears.
0 0The fire control computer videos you reference are hosted on Gene Slover’s US Navy Pages. He’s a 74 years young Navy veteran. We welcome visitors from your blog and encourage them to look at our over 4000 pages of indexed material covering all things Navy.
We would, however, appreciate a credit on your blog and a link:
Thank you for your consideration,
JJ
PS As for instructions under the videos, we’re doing the best we can. Many of our visitors are elderly Navy veterans who are not as computer savvy as you. We did, however, figure out how to flash encode a 1950′s video and get it on the web, right? Could YOUR grandparents do it? Ease up guys.
0 0i didn’t. my dail up is too slow LOL. I imagine it being done mechanically. haha. but again, its not like whipping out my cellphone when the going gets tough.
0 0Destroyer, lol, yea, not something that you can carrying in your pocket!
0 0Steve-O!
Here’s the link to the part 2 video on the site. Just had to do a little digging around.
http://www.eugeneleeslover.com/VIDEOS/fire_control_computer_2.html
0 0Steve, thanks. I will update the blog post.
0 0Yeah but if it wernt for those Giants back then we wouldnt have a microcomputers of today and we still be useing ancent optical devices on ships.
0 0what’s the deal with rapid share?
0 0chris, its a PITA. But I could not find any other source for the video. It is not on youtube.
0 0Love me some analog
0 0Here’s a 1944 navy manual with all this explained in greater detail (the illustrations are really good too)
Seriously, were people just a whole lot smarter back then? The level of basic knowledge and understanding assumed by this manual seems fairly high.
0 0oops,forgot the link! 
http://www.hnsa.org/doc/op1140/index.htm
0 0DavidR, thanks for the link.
0 0I’m more impressed with the media player instructions below the video! When the heck was this site posted? 1995???
Very cool videos, thanks for the links!
0 0Yes. I watched both videos yesterday. Amazing stuff. So used to microprocessors, it really is incredible how much can be accomplished with gears and cams.
And technically, analog computers still hold the edge in processing speed. There is no CPU in the generation of analogue outputs. It’s instant.
0 0
The fire control computer videos you reference are hosted on Gene Slover’s US Navy Pages. He’s a 74 years young Navy veteran. We welcome visitors from your blog and encourage them to look at our over 4000 pages of indexed material covering all things Navy.
We would, however, appreciate a credit on your blog and a link:
http://www.tinyurl.com/slover
Thank you for your consideration,
JJ
PS As for instructions under the videos, we’re doing the best we can. Many of our visitors are elderly Navy veterans who are not as computer savvy as you. We did, however, figure out how to flash encode a 1950′s video and get it on the web, right? Could YOUR grandparents do it? Ease up guys.
i didn’t. my dail up is too slow LOL. I imagine it being done mechanically. haha. but again, its not like whipping out my cellphone when the going gets tough.
Destroyer, lol, yea, not something that you can carrying in your pocket!
how the F did they do long division back then?
Destroyer, you didn’t watch the video did you ?
Pretty easily using gears.
One thing that I think is amazing to consider with all that mechanical gearing, especially the weird cam shapes is there were no computer controlled machines back then to make easy work of making those things. Someone had to figure out a purely mechanical way to accurately make those funny shapes.
Whatever, I LOVE the “3D” (2 input) cams. What a clever idea. I would never have thought that up.
“And technically, analog computers still hold the edge in processing speed. There is no CPU in the generation of analogue outputs. It’s instant.”
Analog computers have to move to calculate, meaning there is a limit to how fast they can calculate.
Neat videos. I am glad this stuff doesn’t end up being lost.
Steve-O!
Here’s the link to the part 2 video on the site. Just had to do a little digging around.
http://www.eugeneleeslover.com/VIDEOS/fire_control_computer_2.html
Steve, thanks. I will update the blog post.
I’m more impressed with the media player instructions below the video! When the heck was this site posted? 1995???
Very cool videos, thanks for the links!
oops,forgot the link!
http://www.hnsa.org/doc/op1140/index.htm
DavidR, thanks for the link.
Here’s a 1944 navy manual with all this explained in greater detail (the illustrations are really good too)
Seriously, were people just a whole lot smarter back then? The level of basic knowledge and understanding assumed by this manual seems fairly high.
Yeah but if it wernt for those Giants back then we wouldnt have a microcomputers of today and we still be useing ancent optical devices on ships.
what’s the deal with rapid share?
chris, its a PITA. But I could not find any other source for the video. It is not on youtube.
Love me some analog
Yes. I watched both videos yesterday. Amazing stuff. So used to microprocessors, it really is incredible how much can be accomplished with gears and cams.
And technically, analog computers still hold the edge in processing speed. There is no CPU in the generation of analogue outputs. It’s instant.