Tide-predicting machine (Kelvin)
Máquina de predicción de mareas (Kelvin)
- Date
- 1872-1873 · confidence high
- Place
- Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom
- Credited to
- William Thomson (Lord Kelvin) and Edward Roberts
- Field
- Movement
What it is
An analogue computer of pulleys and cords that sums the harmonic components of the tide and plots a port's curve for a year in hours. It was used to compile official tables until the mid-20th century.
The first machine (1872-1873) was built for the British Association; Edward Roberts refined the method and the machine.
What it led to
- official tide tables for navigation and port entry
- harmonic analysis of tides
- mechanical analogue computers