today: A Joint IHPST ECE Colloquium,University of Toronto - Sandford Fleming Building

[D. Hugh Redelmeier]

I mentioned this in the meeting.  Peter suggested others on the list might 
be interested.

This is a pair of talks about an early analogue computer built out of 
Mechano.

IHPST is University of Toronto institute.  The acronym stands for 
Institute for the History and Philosophy of Science and Technology.  I 
have been to several interesting talks of theirs.

ECE is Electrical and Computer Engineering.

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Tue, 12 Jun 2007 13:10:31 -0700
From: Denise Horsley <denise.horsley-H217xnMUJC0sA/PxXw9srA at public.gmane.org>
To:  <denise.horsley-H217xnMUJC0sA/PxXw9srA at public.gmane.org>
Subject: Reminder:  A Joint IHPST ECE Colloquium,
    University of Toronto - Sandford Fleming Building

A Joint IHPST ECE Colloquium
University of Toronto

Wednesday, 13 June 2007
1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m.

Sandford Fleming Building, Room 1105, 10 King's College Road
"The Marshall Differential Analyzer Project: Mathematics in Motion"
Bonita A. Lawrence, Ph.D. & Clayton Brooks, Ph.D.
Department of Mathematics, Marshall University
Huntington, West Virginia, U.S.A.

"A Historical Introduction to Differential Analyzers"
Scott Campbell, Ph.D.
Institute for the History and Philosophy of Science and Technology, University
of Toronto
Centre for Society, Technology and Values, University of Waterloo

Abstract: The Marshall Differential Analyzer Team is a collection of
undergraduate and graduate students gathered together with the express purposes
of studying the mechanics of and constructing a four integrator differential
analyzer. The machine, being built almost exclusively of replicated Meccano
components, is a close model of the first differential analyzer built in England
by the University of Toronto's own Arthur Porter when he was a student of
Douglas Hartree. Finding solutions to nonlinear differential equation is only
one of the benefits that the machine has to offer. Like our forefathers, we will
certainly utilize this feature. Bringing to life a mathematical statement
through the construction and operation of this magnificent and essentially
mechanical machine will be its invaluable contribution to the educational
process. The Team is currently preparing a teacher enhancement grant that will
train local educators to use the machine to teach mathematics.

This talk will chronicle the Marshall DA Project, which began with a visit to
the London's Science Museum and continued with the first major phase of the
project, the construction of our two integrator mini DA (we call her Lizzie).
The big finale will be a demonstration of the use of our two integrator machine.

Refreshments to follow

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