An Analog Computer Realization of the Euclidean Tools

The compass and straightedge of Euclidean geometry offer many computational possibilities. Their analog computer realization as described here was developed for the study of the kinematics of machinery, but may be useful in several other areas. For the particular case discussed it was necessary to realize these tools without the use of special electronic devices and to make them available for simultaneous use at an arbitrary number of locations. Low operating frequencies were acceptable. The realization utilizes dynamic computing equipment to generate a reference circle or line, and simple logic in the utilization of the reference. The system may be extended to function generation and multiplication.