An ordinary steam engine runs a generator, which powers most of the electronics. However, the combustion chamber is made to be transparent. This allows light from the flame to be directed through an LCD, serving as the backlight.

The entire unit is about the size of a CRT monitor, but uses no external electricity at all. Simply fill it up with your choice of combustible material, add water, and start crunching numbers.

As a side bonus, the wimpy little PC speaker has been replaced with a steam whistle.
-- Aq_Bi, Sep 04 2012

Steam-powered? Next thing you're going to be suggesting is a pc without the little men in it.
-- not_morrison_rm, Sep 04 2012


//The entire unit is about the size of a CRT monitor//

Didn't say how big a CRT monitor, maybe one of those they used to have to screen sporting events..
-- not_morrison_rm, Sep 04 2012


This is easy, if a bit on the large-ish and slow side. Just replace the transistors with hydraulic valves.
-- RayfordSteele, Sep 04 2012


And of course with a leather touchpad! [+]
-- mitxela, Sep 04 2012


Lots of brass and polished mahogany …
-- 8th of 7, Sep 04 2012


No, the keyboard case is polished mahogany, oor possibly burr walnut or bird's-eye maple, and the key mechanismas are brass- but the keys themselves are hand-carved marquetry, made with ebony and ivory of course.
-- 8th of 7, Sep 04 2012


'hand-cut' rather than 'hand-carved', then.
-- 8th of 7, Sep 04 2012


//Lots of brass and polished mahogany …

Been there, done that...it's a bugger to get the green baize to fit the internal corners though.

On the other hand, it'd be great for doing the ironing while typing all this HB stuff...
-- not_morrison_rm, Sep 05 2012



random, halfbakery