121K views · Aug 10, 2017 · 4:37 · 1 HN recommender · 5 mentions · discussed 2020–2022
A short demonstration of the MONIAC, Bill Phillips' hydro-mechanical economic computer, at the Reserve Bank of New Zealand museum. It shows how water flows model an economy's money flows.
Why Hacker News points people here: Brought up as a charming example of analog and liquid computers simulating a national economy.
“There's a short youtube documentary on its history and operation.”HN comment, 2022
“There's a short youtube documentary on its history and operation.”
Short documentary on MONIAC history and operation.
I believe one of the earliest applications incorporating this line of thought was MONIAC, the Monetary National Income Analogue Computer, which used water levels to model the economy [0]. There's a short youtube documentary on its history and operation. [1] [0] link [1] this video this video (shows operation of MONIAC)
“its always worth mentioning the MONIAC.. (Monetary National Income Analogue Computer)”
Shows the MONIAC hydraulic economic computer.
And of course its always worth mentioning the MONIAC.. (Monetary National Income Analogue Computer) also known as the Phillips Hydraulic Computer link this video
“There was a neat liquid computer called the MONIAC used to model the national economic processes of the UK.”
Video of the MONIAC liquid computer modeling the UK economy.
There was a neat liquid computer called the MONIAC used to model the national economic processes of the UK. Here's a video: this video Edit: Oh it was mentioned in the paper!
“Not a real computer exactly - it simulates the entire system with water flow.”
MONIAC simulates the economy with water flow.
This is exactly why MONIAC[0][1] was created in 1949. Not a real computer exactly - it simulates the entire system with water flow. [0] link [1] this video
“with a fairly naff video of it operating but captures the essence”
Operating MONIAC captures essence despite poor video quality.
Here’s an analogue computer called the MONIAC from ~1949 that calculates monetary flow in an economy: link with a fairly naff video of it operating but captures the essence: this video I like the COMPAQ branding added to it!
