Antikythera Mechanism V2: A Modernized Reproduction

Engineering Commons LLC

Further Reading:

Chapters
0:00 Intro
0:30 Background
1:56 Gear Ratio Example
4:17 Reproductions
5:09 Changes
6:22 A Note on Friction
7:40 Changes
8:24 Spiral Pointers
10:21 Planetarium Design
13:45 Inferior Planets
15:58 Superior Planets
17:15 Lunar Anomaly
18:10 Equation of Time
21:31 Bevel Gears
22:40 Layout & Fabrication
24:20 Assembly
28:20 Usage
30:58 Outro

[paulwood]

Your invention and use of the spiral geared mechanism for the metonic and saros cycle pointers is, in my opinion, genius. This whole project is simply outstanding. I think the original ancient Greek builder would have approved! Very well done.

[bignicebear]

You not only analyzed the original mechanism, you made a functional replica and even improved it.
Astronomy, math and mechanical skills in harmony, very impressive.
It's not often I have the patience to watch an entire 31 minute video but this one was well worth it. Thank You!

[pierremarcotte]

I believe I did not blink for 31 minutes straight, then realised my jaw was on the floor, as it had fallen long before.
I'm absolutely amazed at your talent and genius.

[maximomartin]

Finally, someone with explained calculations of gear ratios and lunar anomaly.

[ElectronicsPeddler]

The spiral pointer is just genius level engineering: simple, easy to understand, and efficient. Well done!

[sinanisler]

it is mind blowing someone from 2200 years ago had this much knowledge and craftsmanship to make this. crazy...

[michaelmoorrees]

4:52 - Thank you for mentioning Clickspring. That was the first time I knew of someone making a replica. He's a master craftsman, if you've ever seen his control over just a simple file (the tool).

And thank you for explaining its basic mechanism, with wonderful graphics !

[papertoyss]

What is amazing with this ancient device, which is considered the ancestor of the mechanical clocks, is that this ~2, 200 years old mechanism makes each and every mechanical wrist watch or clock ever made, no matter how sophisticated it might seem and no matter how expensive it might be, to blush with embarrassment.

[KarlBunker]

Wow. Both for what you were able to do with this build and even moreso for what the ancients were able to do 2, 000+ years ago. Just mind-boggling.

[markrowland]

Thankyou for explaining this. Over 200 parts? The maker of 1800 years back might truely be called a Genius. Well done. I bet he wished he had the equipment you had available.

[blakelowrey]

Wow man this was amazing work and storytelling. I hope this video finds great success

[BadYossa]

That was one of the most remarkable presentations I've ever come across in all my years of using YouTube. The production values are simply off the scale. Absolutely incredible.

[MostlyIC]

Spencer, awesome work on many levels !!! I went on a youtube Antikythera video binge a year or two ago, and have to admit none of them did a good job at describing the metonic cycle and explaining how the Greeks used lunar months in their calendars rather than seasonal months like we do now, and it took me forever to figure this out, whereas that's where you started, bravo. I like all your changes, as I too am a machinist and appreciate why you made them. would like to make one myself some day.

[kolloidal]

as an non expert, I still can see how exellent your knowledge is in mechanics and astronomic

[douglasboyle]

Whenever I see the amount of time and effort you've put into a recreation like this with modern equipment & materials, and analysis building upon much prior research I cannot even fathom the amount of time and effort that went into the original. It took a special kind of mind to make that original all those millennia ago. Thanks for carrying on the work and bringing it to us.

[lowkey]

This is really impressive. It’s one thing to understand something, completely different to make it, and even more so, to explain complexity through simplicity.

[mikejohnston]

Shut up and take my money!
I'll take two. Good to have a second one, in case one gets lost in shipping.

[stumblestorms]

Just wow. I wish I had appropriate words to express what an amazing achievement this is.

[hiro]

You've combined old world and new world tech to make something better than both. Work you did on the video and explanations were amazing as well.

[markbloore]

I have known of the Antikythera mechanism for years, and watched videos about it, but I learned a lot of new things from this video. In particular, details about its construction, and its limitations, such as the use of triangular teeth and crown gears. And the various gear trains and other mechanisms are very nicely described and shown. Thank you.