2025-11

This article serves as supplementary material for the chapter “Simulated Internet Workshop” in the separate article “Internet.”

However, once you understand the network system Claude Shapp implemented, you'll realize it was essentially the precursor to today's internet—a system operated by people instead of machines. And the fact that this was a mechanism powered by human labor is the key to understanding it.

Before beginning construction of the relay-based adder, students are introduced to mechanical logic elements. How might we organize the intent behind this?This exercise allows us to move away from the mistaken image of a computer as an electronic machine.We learn that the principles of a computer are independent of its implementation.We come to understand that a computer is not a mechanism derived from observing physical phenomena, but rather one that mimics human thought by mapping it onto specific physical phenomena.

I will explain in detail how to create the sequencer used for automatic calculations with the adder.This simple sequencer dramatically enhances the learning experience of computers. With basic knowledge of electronic circuits and some crafting skills, you can build it yourself—so please give it a try.