The world’s oldest geared mechanism

The Antikythera mechanism was discovered in 1900 in the sea off the Greek island of Antikythera. It is believed to have been built around 100 BC and is considered the oldest known geared mechanism in the world. Reconstructions suggest that it functioned as an early analogue computer used to calculate the movements of celestial bodies.

What fascinates me most as an engineer is the fact that this remarkable machine contains a differential gear. A technical solution that was long thought to have been invented no earlier than the 13th century. In terms of gear technology, the ancient Greeks were therefore around 1,400 years ahead of their time.

We at Haas Schleifmaschinen are not quite that far ahead yet when it comes to grinding machine development. But we are working on it. What remains a mystery is how such a highly precise gear system was manufactured more than 2,000 years ago. Today, this would be done using high‑precision gear cutting tools. And how to manufacture or regrind such tools on a Multigrind® CA or Multigrind® CB is something we know very well.

More on the subject of technological leadership coming soon.