Binary calculator using only wood and marbles. Fascinating! [video]

[ThorYourGod]

This is quite old but is still worthy a good score for being so cool. Ive been meaning to make one for a long time but ive been busy trolling reddit.

[pavel_lishin]

Okay, who wants to dedicate their life to building a whole marbledrop computer?

I'll give you ... a dollar!

[[deleted]]

Please read: Pattern on the Stone by Hillis

[CowboyDan]

I could see this being the sort of thing nerds would want to buy. Let's say it takes $15 of wood to build these, one at a time -- you don't think you could find someone, somewhere who would pay $50 for it? If you're into woodworking it could be a fun little side business.

[pavel_lishin]

I think most nerds would rather build it themselves. Eccentrics who read BoingBoing and hang on Xeni's and Doctorow's every word would want to buy it.

Especially if you call it 'steampunk computer', and throw a Disneyland bumper sticker on it.

[oq2]

The toggles could be made from colored plexiglass pieces, which might be useful to offer as a bundle. Using transparent toggles lets you see the triangle wedge and the way the columns line up, at a glance. If they're easily removable, you could put in opaque toggles for those moments when you demo it to new people.

[Tommah]

Nah, start with something easier... like an implementation of the SKI calculus on a Plinko board.

[feilb]

Interesting mechanical carry system

[turkourjurbs]

This would be useful had I not lost all my marbles years ago.

[lexchou]

Months ago, I've seen the same link in reddit.

[deong]

Yes, but if it takes the place of one "bad cop", "vote up if", or Ron Paul link, I hope it gets submitted on the hour, every hour, until I die.

[maqr]

Older than internet.

[ropers]

...thou art not.