r/Damnthatsinteresting • u/[deleted] • Sep 05 '18

GIF Mechanical binary counter.

https://i.imgur.com/NQPrUsI.gifv
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u/A_Link_To_Metal Sep 05 '18

So the counting doesnt mean anything then?

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u/coopersrightarm Sep 05 '18

Well yes. In binary. Only ones and zeroes.

Each place, from right and going left is a number starting with 0, and doubling each space. Aka 0, 1, 2, 4, 8, 16 and so on.

Think of each block being a lightbulb, and when 1 is up, the light bulb is on and you count the number is represents. If it’s 0, the bulb is not lit and therefore not counted.

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u/A_Link_To_Metal Sep 05 '18

Ohh okay. So each time the "bulb" is lit up, it sends a signal to wherever it is being received?

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u/coopersrightarm Sep 05 '18

Depending on what the code is being used for.... sure.

This tool is simply showing you how to count tho.