FACTUAL REFERENCE
THE ANTIKYTHERA MECHANISM

The Antikythera mechanism is an ancient Greek geared device recovered from a
shipwreck. It is commonly described as an astronomical calculator. Its surviving
fragments reveal a sophisticated system of intermeshing gears used to represent
astronomical and calendrical cycles.

Why it matters here:
It is a powerful reminder that computation need not be electronic. A relationship
between quantities can be embodied directly in geometry and gearing. Turn an
input and the mechanism mechanically transforms that motion into multiple related
outputs.

What not to claim:
It was not a general-purpose programmable computer in the modern sense. Its
importance is more specific and more interesting: sophisticated mechanical
representation of astronomical cycles existed in antiquity.