The true Democrat. [volume] (Bayou Sara [La.]) 1892-1928, 1901-09-07
SUBSTITUTE FOR BRAINS.
Inc "arVels Accomplished by Modern
Machine Calcnlators.

'eis accomplished by Moter.
Machine Calcnlators.
IL would not be surprising if the
next generation of school children
should learn to do their arithmetic In
Scnooi by the use of calculating ma.
mines. Banks, large corporations and
the government departments, where an
enormous amount of calculating has to
De done in compiling statistical and
other information, all use calculating
machlnes. Some of these are simply
AIDING machines, while others multi
ply and divide. The beauty Of all of
these is that they are incapable of
making mistakes. If it were possible
10 eliminate the human element entire.
~ thelr work would be perfect. AS it
Is, for a great deal OF work thew are
quicker and NOSE accurate than even
expert mathematicians.
A tlde-reckoning machine, recently
completed for the United States coast
survey, at the scientific instrument
shop on Capitol hill, Washington, is
probably as complex calculating ma
cnlne as has ever been devised. The
junction of this machine is to calcu-
late tidal variations in different parts
OF the world, and to perform this II is
necessary to combine 10 separate and
ulstlnct calculations in the given re-
suit. There are two similar machines
IN the world. but neither are so elabo-
rate or capable of doing such complex
problems with as little mental labor
One. OF these is an instrument invented
py Lord Kelvin, and the other is an in
stfument that has been in use in the
united States coast survey, which this
instrument is intended to displace. BY
simply setting the proper indices and
turning a crank the answers to the
most complex tidal problems are
evolved. It is asserted that this ma
chine Will do the work of 80 expert |
matnematlcians. 1t was contrived bv
H. Terrel, of the department for which
lt was designed. For instance, it is
desired to publish a chart showing
tloal variations in different parts of
lne world for a number of years in
advance. To take a single case: In
the year 1903 it is desired to know
"hat depth of water there will be in
inc harbor of karachi, India. at $50
IN the morning, on the first day of o.
'ooer' The answer given by the ma
;hlne after proper manipulation shows
mat there will be a tide of seven feet
eet at that particular hour, and know
ng the depth of water in the harbor
ne depth at that time is also known.
L is for such work as this that the
machine was designed. Foreign gov
have frequently asked the
United States coast survey to do SIM
lar work for them on their machine.
Another instance of economizing
YORK by a calculating machine is in
ne matter of calculating the gauges Of
ank cars. Under the old method it :
ook an expert several days to calcu- I
ate the capacity in gallons at each .
uarter inch Of height of horizontal ,
tank. A special instru- :
lent constructed for this purpose Q
rms out the answers as fast as it can !
operated. This instrument is also
nlque, as it is the only one in exist n
nee, and its accuracy is far greater :,
ian is possible by mental calculation =
18th the time ordinarily allotted to :.
living the numerous problems. =