A Tinkertoy Computer That Plays Tic-Tac-Toe
Have you ever wondered what you can create with Tinkertoys? Well, a group of students from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) took their creativity to the next level by constructing a computer entirely out of Tinkertoys. This Tinkertoy computer, also known as the “Tinkertoy Tic-Tac-Toe Machine,” is a fascinating example of the universality of computation and the power of imagination.
The Tinkertoy computer is designed to play tic-tac-toe, a simple yet strategic game. It consists of a Tinkertoy framework called the read head, which clicks and clacks its way down the front of the machine. The read head is operated by a human operator who cranks it up and down and manages its input. When the computer’s opponent makes a move, the operator adjusts the core piece inside the read head to register the move. The core piece is then cocked using a string, preparing it for recognition. Once the core piece finds a memory that matches the current state of the game, it spins, and the computer indicates its move.
The heart of the Tinkertoy computer lies in its memory spindles. These memory spindles encode all the critical combinations of X’s and O’s that might arise during a game of tic-tac-toe. There are 48 rows of Tinkertoy memory spindles, each consisting of smooth spools connected by sticks. The spools are arranged in nine groups of three, representing each square of the tic-tac-toe board. The presence or absence of spools in a group indicates whether a square is vacant or occupied by an X or O.
The story behind the creation of the Tinkertoy computer is just as fascinating as the machine itself. The team of MIT students, including Erlyne Gee, Edward Hardebeck, Daniel Hillis, Margaret Minsky, and brothers Barry and Brian Silverman, embarked on a class project in 1975 to build something digital from Tinkertoys. They quickly realized that Tinkertoys were computation universal, meaning that they could be used to create a fully programmable machine. This realization laid the foundation for their ambitious project.
One of the most notable members of the team is Daniel Hillis, who went on to become the driving force behind Thinking Machines, Inc. and the creator of the Connection Machine, a well-known parallel supercomputer. The Tinkertoy computer project was a testament to the power of imagination and the potential of unconventional materials for computational purposes.
Reflecting on the universality of computation, Marvin Minsky, a renowned computer scientist, once said, “What’s strange is that those spools and sticks are enough to make anything.” This quote perfectly encapsulates the essence of the Tinkertoy computer and its significance in the world of computing.
Looking at the Tinkertoy computer from a distance, it resembles a childhood fantasy gone wild. It is a spool-and-stick version of the iconic “space slab” from the movie 2001: A Space Odyssey. However, unlike the alien monolith, the Tinkertoy computer showcases the ingenuity and creativity of its creators by playing a mean game of tic-tac-toe.
The Tinkertoy computer is a testament to the limitless possibilities of computational machines. It demonstrates that with the right combination of imagination, creativity, and unconventional materials, anything is possible. The Tinkertoy computer not only serves as a reminder of the power of childhood toys but also inspires us to think outside the box and push the boundaries of what we can achieve in the world of technology.
So, the next time you come across a box of Tinkertoys, remember the Tinkertoy Tic-Tac-Toe Machine and let your imagination run wild. Who knows what incredible creations you might come up with?
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