An odometer or odograph is an instrument used for measuring the distance traveled by a vehicle, such as a bicycle or car. The device may be electronic, mechanical, or a combination of the two (electromechanical). The noun derives from ancient Greek ὁδόμετρον, hodómetron, from ὁδός, hodós and μέτρον, métron ("measure"). Early forms of the odometer existed in the ancient Greco-Roman world as well as in ancient China. In countries using Imperial units or US customary units it is sometimes called a mileometer or milometer, the former name especially being prevalent in the United Kingdom and among members of the Commonwealth.
An electronic odometer (below speedometer) with digital display showing 91,308 miles (146,946 km) from a Jeep Grand Cherokee (WJ)
Reconstruction of Hero's odometer, 1st century AD, Alexandria, Thessaloniki Science Center and Technology Museum
A Han Dynasty stone rubbing of a horse-drawn odometer cart
A Hubodometer on a wheel of a semitrailer
The Antikythera mechanism is an Ancient Greek hand-powered orrery, described as the oldest known example of an analogue computer used to predict astronomical positions and eclipses decades in advance. It could also be used to track the four-year cycle of athletic games similar to an Olympiad, the cycle of the ancient Olympic Games.
The Antikythera mechanism (fragment A – front and rear); visible is the largest gear in the mechanism, about 13 cm (5 in) in diameter.
Image: NAMA Machine d'Anticythère 4
Derek J. de Solla Price (1922–1983) with a model of the Antikythera mechanism
Computer-generated front panel of the Freeth model