by A machine behind the first moon landing was acquired by a Scottish museum.
With the anniversary of the moon landing in the course of this month, the Facit models used by Scientist Archie Roy (1924-2012) was donated to National Museum Scotland during the mission.
He was asked by NASA to be a consultant for trajectory calculations for the Apollo 11 mission, which on July 20, 1969 led to the first person landing on the moon.
Prof. Roy is said to have acquired the mechanical calculator so that he can complete his doctorate, which he received in 1954 and continued to use it in the 1960s until he was gradually replaced by electronic computers.
The Facit model LX computer was manufactured in Sweden from 1938 to 1954.
The National Museums used by Prof. Roy in Scotland’s science and technology collections in which it is used to establish connections with other materials in terms of space, astronomy and calculation, including a prototype camera that is designed for use on the moon, and an analog calculator for solving the Kepler equation.
After Prof. Roy’s retirement in September 1989, his friend and colleague, the Astronomer Royal for Scotland, John Brown, recognized the importance of the calculator for the history of science and kept them to be back on before his widow Margaret donated it to National Museum Scotland.
Dr. Tacye Philipson, Senior Curator of Science in National Museums Scotland, said for many reasons. This is a wonderful addition to the national collection. It is a visibly well -used piece kit that reflects the long and productive career by Professor Archie Roy.
“If we think of the number of computing performance today with our telephones and laptops, it is impressive to look at this completely analogous machine and to believe that in one of the most exceptional technological achievements in human history, it is significantly unmatched and even unjustified in over 50 years.
“Professor Roy’s calculator contains a concrete connection with Scotland’s part to this performance.”
