Chris Staecker | Der Know How Computer (WDR Papiercomputer) - Paper Computers #1 @ChrisStaecker | Uploaded July 2021 | Updated October 2024, 10 seconds ago.
The Know How paper computer, also called the WDR papiercomputer. Created by Wolfgang Back & Ulrich Rohde. Appeared on West German TV and in MC magazine in 1983.


This is Episode 1 of my series on paper computers. Please let me know if you have any information about any paper computers that I could look at in future episodes!



Thanks to Patrick Jackson for getting me interested in this subject.

Chris Staecker webarea: http://cstaecker.fairfield.edu/~cstaecker



#papercomputer


Original 1983 article from MC magazine by Ulrich Rohde:
http://cstaecker.fairfield.edu/~cstaecker/files/machines/filer.php?name=knowhowarticle.pdf


Original printable German version of the Know How Computer:
http://cstaecker.fairfield.edu/~cstaecker/files/machines/filer.php?name=knowhowcomputer.pdf



Classic footage from WDR Computer Club here:
youtube.com/watch?v=B7_476DmLjQ



Recent Wolfgang Back footage from here:
youtube.com/watch?v=G5-H2T1chZ4


Marian Aldenhoevel's site, home of a graphical Know How Computer simulator:

marian-aldenhoevel.de/papiercomputer



Another simulator by Patrick Jackson, this one in python:
github.com/ProgrammingCube/5-Instruction-Computer


My answers for the exercises:


Easy– Times Two:
1: 0 1
2: J 4
3: Stop
4: - 1
5: + 2
6: + 2
7: J 1


Fancier version:
1: 0 1
2: J 4
3: J 8
4: - 1
5: + 2
6: + 2
7: J 1
8: 0 2 #8-13 will transfer reg. 2 to reg. 1
9: J 11
10: Stop
11: - 2
12: + 1
13: J 8


Medium– Even/Odd:
1: 0 1
2: J 4
3: Stop
4: - 1
5: 0 2
6: J 9
7: + 2
8: J 1
9: - 2
10: J 1


Hard– Sum Up To:
1: 0 2
2: J 4
3: Stop
4: 0 2
5: J 7
6: J 11
7: - 2
8: + 1
9: + 3
10: J 4
11: - 3
12: 0 3
13: J 15
14: J 1
15: - 3
16: + 2
17: J D