Digi-Comp II

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The Digi-Comp II was a toy computer manufactured by E.S.R. Inc. that used marbles rolling down a ramp to perform basic calculations. A two-level masonite platform with guides served as the medium for a supply of marbles that rolled down an inclined plane moving plastic cams as they went. The plastic cams played the part of flip-flops in an electronic computer - as a marble passed one of the cams, it would flip the cam around - in one position, the cam would allow the marble to pass in one direction, in the other position, it would cause the marble to drop through a hole and roll to the bottom of the ramp.

The Digi-Comp II followed on from the Digi-Comp I, which used an assortment of plastic slides, tubes, and bent metal wires to perform simple calculations.

[edit] See also

• Geniac

[edit] External links

• The Old Computer Museum - Collection of old analog, digital and mechanical computers.