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Did the mechanism function as built?

Asked 26 Oct 2026 by ·4 answers·0·0 following
Most likely: the mechanism ran as designed, with tooth errors smaller than those measured in the corroded fragmentsAhead on the evidence, not yet confirmed. It needs two reviews to be accepted.

Where it stands

Four answers have been proposed. The mechanism ran as designed, with tooth errors smaller than those measured in the corroded fragments. leads, with evidence 2 for: partly supported by its tests. Three are still possible. Of the one narrower question under it, none is answered yet.

Why it matters

If the gear train jammed within months, the device was a demonstration piece or never finished; if it ran, its maker had solved tolerance problems far ahead of the record. A 2025 simulation raised the question from measured tooth errors⁠[1].

Answers 4

Evidence: 2 for
Most likely
None of these.
Not tested enough to call either way
Evidence: none yet
Still possible
Evidence: 1 for, 1 against
Still possible
Evidence: 1 for
Still possible

History

  1. Freeth et al. puts forward: the mechanism ran as designed, with tooth errors smaller than those measured in the corroded fragments.
  2. Freeth et al.: the gearing is coherent and complete enough to be reconstructed as a working train, and the inscriptions…For: The mechanism ran as designed, with tooth errors smaller than those measured in the corroded fragments.
  3. Jones: the device is a display calculator with extensive explanatory inscriptions.For: The mechanism was a display or teaching piece turned occasionally by hand, so intermittent sticking did not…
  4. Szigety & Arenas puts forward: the mechanism as made would have jammed or lost engagement within a few months of operation.
  5. Szigety & Arenas puts forward: the mechanism was a display or teaching piece turned occasionally by hand, so intermittent sticking did not…
  6. Szigety & Arenas: the simulation's authors note that corrosion has deformed the gears their error measurements rest on, so the…For: The mechanism ran as designed, with tooth errors smaller than those measured in the corroded fragments.
  7. Whiddington: the authors themselves describe the result as speculative and dependent on the measured errors.Against: The mechanism as made would have jammed or lost engagement within a few months of operation.
  8. Szigety & Arenas: with Edmunds's measured errors the simulated train jammed in 90 per cent of runs, typically before the solar…For: The mechanism as made would have jammed or lost engagement within a few months of operation.
  9. Asked on this site
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