[split] Volvelles or Disks

[AliciaNelPresente]

In a machine/volvelle, you only have a finite number of ''gear teeth''.

Wouldn't this force integer ratios between the number of prefixes/stems/suffixes? So you would find the same number of possible prefixes for each stem, etc.?

You are right, if we were dealing with simple, fully visible permutations like a standard combination lock, we would see perfect integer ratios. Every prefix would meet every root eventually.

But the "gaps" and the lack of symmetry you mention are actually what convince me more of the mechanical hypothesis, not less:

1.  You are assuming the scribe can see the entire "Middle Ring" at all times. But look at traditional Volvelles or even the Alberti Cipher Disk. The top disk often acts as a Mask. If the "Gallow" Ring has a cut-out window that only reveals 30 degrees of the ring below it, then mechanically, Prefix A can physically ONLY pair with Roots 1-5. It will never touch Roots 6-24, even though they are on the same wheel. You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view.

This creates the "statistical gaps" you see.


2. In industrial cam systems, not every tooth creates an output.

Imagine a 24-tooth gear, then 15 teeth have glyphs. 9 teeth are "Nulls" (blanks/spaces).

The machine cycles with a perfect integer ratio, but the text output looks irregular and "Zipfian" because 37% of the mechanical operations result in silence or white space.

So, the "missing integers" in the text statistics aren't proof that the machine doesn't exist.