The world’s first computer created by Greeks 21 centuries ago

The world’s first computer created by Greeks 21 centuries ago A program and art display at the National Hellenic Museum

WHAT: A discussion by John Seiradakis about the Antikythera Mechanism, its uses, and how it has been decoded by researchers starting over 100 years ago to present day. A display of artwork from two local artists inspired by the Antikythera Mechanism: Terry Poulos and Keith Skogstrom. The display will be open through April 30.

WHO: John Seiradakis, Professor, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, and Radio Astronomer Professor Seiradakis studied Physics at the University of Athens, and has a MSc and PhD from Victoria University of Manchester, UK. With about 90 publications, his scientific interests focus on neutron stars (pulsars), neutral hydrogen modelling in nearby galaxies, the center of our Galaxy, flare stars, the Moon and Archaeoastronomy. Introductory Remarks by Dr. Thanasis Economou, Senior Scientist at the University of Chicago Enrico Fermi Institute. Terry Poulos is an artist, writer, inventor and historian, who studied communications, with a minor towards art. In 2014, he minted a precedent-setting numismatic called Net Zero Coin, a combination of a coin that's "conjoined" to a brass card, now officially part of the permanent collections at the British Museum, American Numismatic Society, American Numismatic Association, and National Hellenic Museum. Keith Skogstrom is the founder and lead designer at Geodesic Designs and the founder and director of SOTA (State of the Art Pop Up Gallery), which brings fine art to an accessible level and features a diverse group of artists, producing a platform for emerging art enthusiasts to encounter local art. He graduated in 2008 from Ohio University with a Bachelors of Fine Arts in painting, Interviews with John Seiradakis, Dr. Thanasis Economou, Terry Poulos, and Keith Skogstrom are available.

WHEN: Thursday, April 14, 2016 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

WHERE: National Hellenic Museum 333 S. Halsted St., Chicago, IL 60661

WHY: This program is one of a series of events in support of The Greeks exhibition at The Field Museum. Researchers say the Antikythera Mechanism predates any other known clockwork mechanisms of similar complexity by more than 1,000 years, was designed to predict astronomical positions and the cycles of the ancient Olympics. It consists of more than 30 hand-cut brass gears.

Tickets available at https://www.nationalhellenicmuseum.org/the-worlds-oldest-computer-the-antikythera-mechanism/