The iPhone of the 13th Century

Posted by Sam_Gellman on Monday, Nov 23, 2009

Amidst all the lurking iPhone killers, we seem to have forgotten the one that doesn’t even use batteries: the Astrolabe was the must-have device of the 13th century, with the capability of telling time, mapping the night sky, and hundreds of other functions that were high tech for the time. The computer went through a number of versions since it was first developed in the 6th century AD, but it’s design remained basically the same: a disc and a movable arm, not unlike today’s hard drives. Before Hubble (or Google Maps), it was the best device for charting heavenly bodies and navigating. In 1391, when Geoffrey Chaucer’s son kept bugging him to teach him how to use one, the poet wrote a kind of Astrolabe for Dummies, because “as wel considre I thy besy praier in special to lerne the tretys of the Astrelabie.”

At TED, “innovation thinker” Tom Wujec shows off the ancient gadget.

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EON_ION 3 months ago

Great. Something I didn't understand explained in something I don't understand.
Alex_Pasternack 3 months ago

Yeah, this combines the best of old school rap accessories with the best of old school technology. Everyone wins.
smotherboard 3 months ago

bling bling
planetariumdrum 3 months ago

i want a necklace with a mini-charm of this
localola 3 months ago

is it just me? or were people just a lot smarter back in the day.
Orion 3 months ago

I say we bring these back. Then, rappers will have a reason to wear large, gold things from their necks.
localola 3 months ago

hahahaha YES!
cgertler 3 months ago

I love TED talks. And I totally want an Astrolabe now.
PixelBound 3 months ago

Damn, I thought this was going to be about two tin cans with a string tied between them.