The Oracle: A Victorian Computer? March 9, 2016
Author: Beach Combing | in : Modern , trackback
OK, OK there were no personal computers in 1884. But the following ‘Oracle’ sounds as if it was mapping out, imaginatively, the territory that computers would make for themselves. We are in the UK: our source the Leighton Buzzard Obs, 1 Jan 1884.
Dr. Lloyd, the medical officer of St. Giles’s Workhouse, attended before Sir James Ingham, at Bow Street police-court, last week, for the purpose of obtaining a magisterial authorisation for the detention of a man giving his name Noah Webster King, who described himself ‘A. M. Rex, the King of Apothecaries and Astrologists, and Bible Oracle Maker, New York.’ It appeared that he had attended Windsor Castle for the purpose of seeing the Queen and introducing to her notice an instrument he had invented, and described as possessing a truly wonderful secret power developed by the most natural scientific principles, and as simple as child’s plaything.
So not only powerful but intuitive.
This wonderful invention was contained in mathematical instrument box, on the lid of which was printed the following extraordinary description: ‘Nothing happens but by the order or God. Noah William King, the wonderful Bible oracle, key to the secrets of the occult science of witch craft, being a familiar and historical elucidation of the theory and practice magic, alchemy, necromancy, astrology, curtomancy, and choromancy, Ac., together with directions for the making of gold, the raising of the dead, and calling of spirits and evocation of ghosts, and laying bare the operations of ancient and modern spiritualism, for healing the sick like magic, answering all manner of scientific questions difficult and unknown matters, and for controlling the elements of nature. Its like has never been seen before in the world.
Like the trade patter. Had to look up curtomancy and choromancy (chiromancy)…
The name of the instrument was called ‘The Oracle,’ and the inventor claimed to be able to make it answer any question under the sun on any matter, and also to think for any number of persons from 30 to a thousand with the same ease as any individual could think for himself. This was effected by simple pressure of the thumb a small air-pump, which communicated means of a pipe to wind wheel, which in consequence of the pressure of air worked a disc above, upon which was marked the four cardinal points of the compass. By this means the instrument, was placed under control, and would do anything required of it.
Beach wrote a few sentences here trying to understand how the Oracle worked and then realized this was a waste of his and more importantly any reader’s time. But the cardinal points of the compass? Is that, like, the hard drive?
He had not yet been able to bring this invention to the notice of her Majesty, though was sanguine of success, as everything had been done to effect his object. He had been brought to London and introduced to Dr. Bond, and now to Dr. Lloyd. He expressed himself quite, satisfied with the influence that had been brought to bear upon his case. Sir James Ingham signed the necessary order. King wished it to be known that he was desirous of starting a Bible Oracle Society, and wished all communications be addressed to Mr. Willson, attendant at St. Giles’s Workhouse [love this].
Other early computers: drbeachcombing AT yahoo DOT com
