Technology is constantly evolving and surprising us with new and innovative products. But some inventions are so mysterious that they leave us wondering how they work, who made them, and what purpose they serve. Here are some of the most mysterious tech inventions ever.
1. The Antikythera Mechanism
The Antikythera Mechanism is an ancient Greek device that is considered to be the world’s first analog computer. It was discovered in 1901 in a shipwreck near the island of Antikythera. The device consists of a complex system of gears and dials that could calculate astronomical positions and events, such as eclipses, phases of the moon, and the dates of the Olympic Games. The mechanism is estimated to date back to the 2nd century BC, but its origin and creator are unknown. Some scholars have suggested that it was made by Archimedes, Hipparchus, or Posidonius, but there is no conclusive evidence to support these claims.
2. The Voynich Manuscript
The Voynich Manuscript is a mysterious book that has baffled scholars and cryptographers for centuries. The manuscript is written in an unknown script and language that has never been deciphered. It contains illustrations of plants, animals, human figures, astrological symbols, and other mysterious diagrams. The manuscript is named after Wilfrid Voynich, a Polish book dealer who acquired it in 1912. The manuscript is believed to date back to the 15th century, but its author and origin are unknown. Some theories have suggested that it was written by Roger Bacon, Leonardo da Vinci, John Dee, or a secret sect of alchemists, but none of these have been proven.
3. The Wow! Signal
The Wow! Signal is a radio signal that was detected by a radio telescope at Ohio State University in 1977. The signal lasted for 72 seconds and had a frequency of 1420 MHz, which is the same frequency as hydrogen, the most abundant element in the universe. The signal was so strong and unusual that the astronomer who observed it, Jerry Ehman, wrote “Wow!” on the printout. The signal has never been detected again, and its source and nature are unknown. Some scientists have speculated that it could have been a natural phenomenon, such as a comet or a quasar, but others have suggested that it could have been a sign of extraterrestrial intelligence.
4. The Bloop
The Bloop is a low-frequency sound that was detected by underwater microphones in 1997. The sound was so loud that it could be heard across the Pacific Ocean. The sound lasted for about one minute and had a frequency of about 57 Hz, which is lower than the range of human hearing. The sound was traced to a location near Antarctica, but its source and cause are unknown. Some scientists have hypothesized that it could have been caused by an icequake, a volcanic eruption, or a large animal, such as a whale or a giant squid.
5. The Cicada 3301 Puzzles
The Cicada 3301 Puzzles are a series of complex and cryptic puzzles that have been posted online since 2012. The puzzles involve various topics, such as cryptography, steganography, philosophy, literature, music, art, and history. The puzzles are designed to test the intelligence and skills of the solvers and to recruit them for some unknown purpose. The puzzles are attributed to an anonymous group or individual called Cicada 3301, but their identity and motive are unknown. Some theories have suggested that Cicada 3301 is a secret society, a hacker group, a government agency, or an artificial intelligence.