A 2,000-year-old mechanical computer salvaged from a Roman shipwreck has astounded scientists who have finally unravelled the secrets of how the sophisticated device works. The machine was lost among cargo in 65BC when the ship carrying it sank in 42m of water off the coast of the Greek island of Antikythera. By chance, in 1900, a sponge diver called Elias Stadiatos discovered the wreck and recovered statues and other artifacts from the site.
Scans showed the device uses a differential gear, which was previously believed to have been invented in the 16th century. The level of miniaturisation and complexity of its parts is comparable to that of 18th century clocks. (The Guardian)
Further confirmation of my thesis that The Wright Brothers were not the first to fly, merely the first to be photographed flying. Why did technology like this die out? Because in my humble opinion there was no medium through which inventors could share and build on each others discoveries. Communications change everything.
