Not to detract from the amazing feat the teacher and students achieved but what are "simulated vacuum tubes"?
EDIT: oh, it's really just "visual simulation" if you want to put it like that.
"Vacuum tubes were recreated using paper printed elements that match the size, spacing, and density of the originals... Cabling paths and plugboard interfaces were recreated visually and spatially so students could understand how dense, repetitive, and precise the machine was." https://www.theregister.com/2026/01/21/eniac_model_build/
The idea for the company came when Burick was building a “white box” PC from standard, off-the-shelf components, and realized there was no comparable product for robotics. ... They sold about 200 robots in 17 countries, Burick says.
As a roboticist / educator with dyscalculia/neurodivergence from Pennsylvania I really identify with this piece lol. Maybe there's something in the water out here, I dunno.
To this day I still have to do basic arithmetic on my hands, and I'm very self conscious about being in a field where there are people who can just do these calculations in their head. "How do have trouble with this, aren't you a computer genius?" is something I've heard many times. I like computers because they do the calculations for me! To a large degree, most of my life I've felt like an imposter for this reason, believing that I'm not smart but I just try hard. It wasn't until I got older that I realized there's not much of a difference between the two.
I didn't get the dyscalculia diagnosis until I went for ADHD testing at 36. I don't know if / how these things are linked. I don't think my dyscalculia or ADHD or my autism or neurodivergence are superpowers at all -- I view them as limitations. It's great that Tom feels empowered and that makes me happy for him, but at the same time if you have these disabilities you shouldn't feel bad if in fact you find them limiting and not a "superpower". Being ND is very difficult at times, so if you're having a hard time with it that's not something to feel bad about.
Not to detract from the amazing feat the teacher and students achieved but what are "simulated vacuum tubes"?
EDIT: oh, it's really just "visual simulation" if you want to put it like that.
"Vacuum tubes were recreated using paper printed elements that match the size, spacing, and density of the originals... Cabling paths and plugboard interfaces were recreated visually and spatially so students could understand how dense, repetitive, and precise the machine was." https://www.theregister.com/2026/01/21/eniac_model_build/
>Not to detract from the amazing feat the teacher and students achieved
Feel free to detract from it. It's not an amazing feat.
The idea for the company came when Burick was building a “white box” PC from standard, off-the-shelf components, and realized there was no comparable product for robotics. ... They sold about 200 robots in 17 countries, Burick says.
Yup. There's no volume in hobbyist robot kits.
The replica is currently being put on display at the Computer Museum @ System Source in Hunt Valley, MD https://museum.syssrc.com
Buried important detail: this is an art project, no actual electronics were built, none of it can or does work as a computer.
>Buried important detail: this is an art project, no actual electronics were built, none of it can or does work as a computer.
This, I don't understand why everyone is acting like this is impressive, unless they failed to read the article.
Wow! I am sure the kids are totally kicked and will remember this for the rest of their lives!
We need many more of these sorts of projects - for kids as well as adults
This is a pretty great flex. Because it's awesome.
Instead of transformation, they're trying to go back to the stone ages.
Their Eniac clone is cool and all, but this guy himself is just amazing.
As a roboticist / educator with dyscalculia/neurodivergence from Pennsylvania I really identify with this piece lol. Maybe there's something in the water out here, I dunno.
To this day I still have to do basic arithmetic on my hands, and I'm very self conscious about being in a field where there are people who can just do these calculations in their head. "How do have trouble with this, aren't you a computer genius?" is something I've heard many times. I like computers because they do the calculations for me! To a large degree, most of my life I've felt like an imposter for this reason, believing that I'm not smart but I just try hard. It wasn't until I got older that I realized there's not much of a difference between the two.
I didn't get the dyscalculia diagnosis until I went for ADHD testing at 36. I don't know if / how these things are linked. I don't think my dyscalculia or ADHD or my autism or neurodivergence are superpowers at all -- I view them as limitations. It's great that Tom feels empowered and that makes me happy for him, but at the same time if you have these disabilities you shouldn't feel bad if in fact you find them limiting and not a "superpower". Being ND is very difficult at times, so if you're having a hard time with it that's not something to feel bad about.
The computer doesn't even work. Disappointing.
The headline is pretty misleading.
Awesome project, regardless.
I think I can easily see this coming where Apple is beating Nvidia.