So cool! Should link to the project homepage http://www.nablaman.com/relay/ Or the news page with pics & videos. http://www.nablaman.com/relay/progress.php Last update was in 2011, btw.
That's beautiful and mesmerizing - video here: http://www.nablaman.com/relay/progress.php
I built one of these[0] a few years ago, and really enjoyed the build process and playing around with it. It was a pretty big project, but no special skills required.
Shameless plug for my relay computer: https://github.com/artemonster/relay-cpu
Related. Others?
Zusie – My Relay Computer - https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=8711869 - Dec 2014 (21 comments)
As of late I've been watching a Youtube creator, DiPDoT[0], building a relay computer.
DiPTDoT's project is still in-progress. His computer has an 8-bit data bus and a 16-bit address bus[1], like the Zusie. His registers are a little more generous than the Zusie.
I really enjoy the sound of DiPDoT's test rigs running his cards thru functional testing. The rhythm of a relaying computer running code with loops is probably pretty fun.
This is a very cool project!
I wish this was around when I was teaching computer architecture. I use to challenge students to think outside the box when it came to switchs. One example is to build a computer out of paperclips.[1] The book can be found on eBay, Amazon and other used/old book outlets.
[1] "How to build a working digital computer", Edward Alcosser, 1968
Another relay computer for those interested, with hand built DRAM! http://www.northdownfarm.co.uk/rory/tim/tim-8.htm
> 8-bit data bus and 16-bit address bus
What? That is very intense. If I were doing relays, I would have gone for 2 bits or something, 4 bits max. Hardcore.
Having seen this in person my favorite aspect is the sound it makes, absolutely mesmerizing.
I'd love to see, and hear, a video of the computer in operation
There is now a whole bunch of relay computers on youtube! It's become easier to do it seems. This one 2011, some more recent on youtube.
(2011)?
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I 3D printed some Zuse-style mechanical NAND gates last year, that was a lot of fun and makes for a great fidget toy:
https://mero.ng/i/vMdqQYJG.jpg
I've kind of given some thought of doing a higher-quality metal production run of these with nice finish and engravings of the inputs and outputs as a geeky desk fidget.
Model credit goes here (and of course to the original Zuse patent application the design is from), although I made a NAND remix as I wanted a universal gate and fixed up all of the tolerances and still really have to upload my version:
https://www.printables.com/model/69642-zuse-inspired-z1-logi...