mechanical computing

Mechanical computing uses moving parts—gears, levers, and mechanical components—to perform calculations and process information. These devices operate through physical interactions, where the movement of one part influences another to carry out operations like addition or decision-making. Before electronic computers, mechanical systems like the abacus, difference engines, and mechanical calculators mechanically manipulated inputs to produce results. They work without electricity, relying instead on precise mechanical motion, and can be quite complex, showcasing innovative ways humans have harnessed physical mechanisms to solve computational problems.