The Antikythera Mechanism

New York Times: An Ancient Computer Surprises Scientists. "It seems clear, Dr. Charette said, that "much of the mind-boggling technological sophistication available in some parts of the Hellenistic and Greco-Roman world was simply not transmitted further," adding, "The gear-wheel, in this case, had to be reinvented." (via Chabakuk Elisha) See also wired: Gear Factor: Imaging the Antikythera Computer.

(via Enigma of ancient computer solved COSMOS magazine.)