Three months ago our team got access to a sealed yet abandoned archive. Inside: hundreds of paper computing devices that seem to come from the 1970s Soviet "Project Buran."
These aren't just diagrams or primitive blueprints. They work as functional computing tools made entirely of cardstock, string, and specialized inks.
The craziest one in our opinion is a slide-rule-like device. It can solve differential equations through paper folding. You literally fold along printed lines to get solutions. We tested it against modern software - it's accurate to 3 decimal places for most problems.
Those findings also remind us of BSM-Papyrus research and trying to make Bolshaya Schetnaya Machina in a more paperlike way that is more in line with technologies of previous centuries and findings of Florensky in the early XX century. We hope to publish more information on this project as soon as we understand how to practically apply it.
Why paper? The Soviets were paranoid about electronic surveillance and power grid vulnerabilities. These tools worked without electricity and couldn't be remotely monitored.
Next week we're hosting a workshop where you can try these yourself (invite-only). No phones allowed. Just paper, pencils, and some very almost forgotten tech. Read more articles, news and ideas on analogue and alternative technologies on https://innovationhangar.blogspot.com
