THE NEW AMISH LAPTOP
Well... OK... so it's not exactly what we would call a computer....but it's the most advanced abacus in history! Using ultra-low tech antique equipment the Amish have actually built a portable "computer" that is capable of accessing the Internet!
Features:
• 13 x 6 Bead Resolution
• 78 RAB (Random Access Bead) Memory
• All wood construction
• Chalk & slate based input
• Holders for slate, chalk, charcoal and stylus
• 1 Chicken Power Supply
• Built-in Modem
How do the Amish connect to the internet without phone lines?
The Amish use what we call a "String and Can" modem. The modem consists of a tin can connected to the back of the abacus, and a waxed string running to the nearest telephone pole where another tin can is located. Vibrations caused by the abacus cause the string, can, and telephone pole to resonate certain frequencies that can actually trigger their modems. The other modems send their signals through the cans and string back into the abacus....which uses a system of pulleys to translate the vibrations into patterns of beads which are translated into words. The modem works at a blazing speed of 2.4BPS (Beads Per Second).
