Tatjana van Vark Photos

Below you can view more photos of Tatjana’s remarkable work. Click on images to enlarge.

The Antikythera Mechanism and Hypothetical Planetarium

Many claim that the Antikythera Mechanism was the first real analog computer. It used dials, gears, astronomy theory, and intricate handiwork to form one of mankind’s oldest and most significant machines. Tatjana built her own mechanism based on the ancient Antikythera, which drives her Hypothetical Planetarium.

Tatjana noted, “My geocentric planetarium is based on modern data of planetary motion, and is realized by conventional asymmetrical spur gear differentials, as described in engineering text books. It is similar in principle to Mr. Wright’s, but rather different in details. I do not know of any detailed description of Mr. Wright’s excellent work, so I worked this out myself. As it represents the same solar mechanism, with good approximations, the differences cannot be great. Mine has 28 gears. My planetarium, after independent use, can be resynchronized with the Antikythera Mechanism from anywhere in a very wide window of time.”

(All photos of the Athikythera Mechanism are courtesy of Jeroen van Vark.)

Antikythera Mechanism and Planetarium

The backside of the mechanism and planetarium.

Antikythera Mechanism

Another angle of the Antikythera Mechanism. The original was discovered at the bottom of the sea near the Greek island of Antikythera.

Antikythera Mechanism

The following photos show Tatjana’s Antikythera Mechanism partially assembled.

Antikythera Mechanism

Antikythera Mechanism

Details of the mechanism and its gearing.

Antikythera Mechanism

Hypothetical Geocentric Planetarium

The Hypothetical Geocentric Planetarium (after Apollonius of Perga) is driven by the outgoing shaft of Tatjana’s interpretation of the Antikythera Mechanism.

Hypothetical Geocentric Planetarium

Harmonium—Mechanical Fourier Analysis and Synthesis

(All photos of the Harmonium are courtesy of Tim Samshuijzen.)

Harmonium

Tatjana’s completed Harmonium.

Harmonium

A side view of the Harmonium.

Harmonium Construction

Making parts for the Ventosa integrators.

Harmonium Construction

Harmonium Gearbox

The main gearbox for the Harmonium.

Harmonium Gearbox

Harmonium Construction

Making the sine generator with mutually independent phase angle and amplitude inputs.

Harmonium Construction

The paper drum and drive mechanism.

Cryptograph Machine

(All photos of the Cryptograph are courtesy of Tim Samshuijzen.)

Cryptograph Machine

Details about the rotor wiring, etc. were not released until after someone decrypted the coded haiku that Tatjana posted on her website. The electronic component accompanying the mechanical machine is the “super-encipherment switch.”