Relay computers

[Ben Franchuk]

Dwight K. Elvey wrote:

 >  I've thought about an array of reed switches for memory with
 > bias magnets. These would be adjusted such that there would
 > be just enough magentic field to hold the reed closed once closed
 > but not enough to cause it to close by itself. The coils would
 > then be used to open and close by applying a counter or aiding
 > field to the reed/magnet. The magents would be arrange with alternating
 > directions such that there was no accumulating of the magentic
 > field across the array of the reed RAM. ROM can be done with
 > and array of diodes and switches.

Why not just use a very large core memory instead and sence the
output with a very sensitive relay?

 >  I'd keep the ALU simple since most times, it doesn't need to
 > do arithmatic. A single bit ALU with a few serial storage
 > shift registers would be sufficient for most math operations.
 >

You hope, homebrew CPU's have a way of growing on you. :)
Also so does memory. :)