Von Neumann replicators, also known as "von Neumann machines" and "clanking replicators", are non-biological matter printers capable of creating a copy of themselves out of raw materials.[1]
In the Long Earth series, the Silver Beetles were von Neumann replicators.
Trivia[]
In real life, the theory of these machines is named after John von Neumann, the first person to seriously study the idea of non-biological self-replicators. He first suggested the idea in the late 1940's, although it was first introduced by Samuel Butler in 1863.[1]
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Drexler, K. Eric (1986), "Engines of Abundance (Chapter 4) Clanking Replicators", Engines of Creation, http://www.e-drexler.com/d/06/00/EOC/EOC_Chapter_4.html#section01of03