Antikythera Mechanism

The Antikythera Mechanism is an ancient Greek analog computer used to predict astronomical positions and eclipses. It is considered the world's first known mechanical computer, dating to approximately 100-150 BCE. The device consists of a complex system of at least 30 bronze gears housed in a wooden case roughly the size of a shoebox. When intact, it featured rotating dials and was operated by a hand crank. The mechanism could track the movements of the Sun, Moon, and planets, calculate eclipse patterns, and even determine the timing of ancient athletic games.