Chapter 3. A Machine That Will Think:

A MACHINE THAT WILL THINK:

THE DESIGN OF A VERY SIMPLE MECHANICAL BRAIN

We shall now consider how we can design a very simple machine that will think. Let us call it Simon, because of its predecessor, Simple Simon.

SIMON, THE VERY SIMPLE MECHANICAL BRAIN

By designing Simon, we shall see how we can put together physical equipment for handling information in such a way as to get a very simple mechanical brain. At every point in the design of Simon, we shall make the simplest possible choice that will still give us a machine that: handles information, transfers information automatically from one part of the machine to another, and has control over the sequence of operations. Simon is so simple and so small, in fact, that it could be built to fill up less space than a grocery-store box, about 4 cubic feet. If we know a little about electrical work, we will find it rather easy to make Simon.

What do we do first to design the very simple mechanical brain, Simon?

SIMON’S FLESH AND NERVES—REPRESENTING INFORMATION

The first thing we have to decide about Simon is how information will be represented: as we put it into Simon, as it is moved around inside of Simon, and as it comes out of Simon. We need to decide what physical equipment we shall use to make Simon’s flesh and nerves. Since we are taking the simplest convenient solution to each problem, let us decide to use: punched paper tape for putting information in, relays (see