Heron of Alexandria, a Greek mathematician and engineer who lived approximately between 10 and 70 A.D., is considered to be the first inventor and constructor of sophisticated sequence-controlled machines. Such a machine would, once set in motion by a human operator, autonomously follow a built-in but modifiable sequence of instructions for performing specific actions. This is equivalent to a program-controlled computer, with the programs having been encoded in a binary fashion, such as knots in a rope or cogs on a cylinder. Many of his machines are considered to be direct predecessors of modern computers and robotics.
One of the most impressive applications of these concepts was probably Heron’s automatic theatre: a 10-minute stage play automatically controlled and performed using such a programmable machine, including the triggering of special effects such as the sound of thunder.
Sequence control is a central principle to the concept of electronic games. It is what allows a machine to present to players an opposition, in the form of changing obstacles to overcome or seemingly intelligent opponents, providing the challenge that leads to fun and a sense of accomplishment. Similarly, it allows automatic enforcement of rules in puzzle-style games, or games for several players. On a very basic level, sequence control is what separates electronic games from traditional games.
Coincidentally, Heron is also believed to be the creator of the first automatic, coin-controlled vending machine, to be placed in temples. An inserted coin fell onto a pan, which would be lowered due to its weight. The tilting pan would open a lever, causing holy water to be dispensed to the customer. The pan continued to tilt until the coin fell off, thus closing the lever and stopping the flow of holy water after a certain amount had been dispensed. The combination of such vending machines with automated games would lead to coin-operated amusement devices and, almost two millennia later, Arcade video games, which offered patrons a few minutes of entertainment in exchange for their hard-earned coins.
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References:
- Wikipedia
- Picture: MacTutor History of Mathematics
