There is a long discussion of Orcutt's 'microsimulation', plus further references, on pp. 315--320 of: 
  Morgan, Mary S. (2012).  The World in the Model: How Economists Work and Think . New York: Cambridge University Pres.

Best wishes,  Marina







 >-------- Оригинално писмо --------

 >От: "N. Emrah Aydinonat" [log in to unmask]

 >Относно: [SHOE] Guy Orcutt's electrical-mechanical models

 >До: [log in to unmask]

 >Изпратено на: 31.05.2016 22:02



 
 
   
    
    Dear all,
    
    
    

    
    
    I came across an interesting note concerning Guy Orcutt in Smithies (1941). The note is about a mechanical (physical) models of duopoly that was built by Guy Orcutt. Watt (1991: p. 172) confirms the existence of the devices:

    
    
    

    
    
     
     "Guy designed and built two "analogue electrical-mechanical" devices that could produce, given values for parameters and initial conditions, solutions to complex duopoly and spatial location problems. This was his first, and probably one of the first, uses of simulation methods and electrical machinery to generate specific solutions of economic models"
     
    
    
    

    
    
    I would like to know more about these models, but failed to find more information. Any help will be greatly appreciated.
    
    
    

    
    
    Best wishes,
    
    
    Emrah
    
    
    

    
    
    References
    
    
    - Smithies, A. (1941). Optimum location in spatial competition. The Journal of Political Economy, 49(3), 423–439. doi:10.1086/255724
    

    
    
    - Watts, H. W. (1991). Distinguished Fellow: An Appreciation of Guy Orcutt. Journal of Economic Perspectives, 5(1), 171–179. doi:10.1257/jep.5.1.171
    

    
   

    
     
      
      ---
      

       
        
        N. Emrah Aydınonat
        

         http://www.neaydinonat.com/ 
        
        
         http://twitter.com/aydinonat