[leggomylibro]

Do you know of any good papers on analog computers?

They sound like interesting tools, especially since there are some sorts of problems where small amounts of unpredictable error can be helpful, like repetitive Monte Carlo-style simulations.

But it also seems like an intimidatingly large area to start learning about.

[hobs]

When in doubt, go back in time - they were the only option at one point.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MONIAC http://www.analogmuseum.org/english/introduction/

[ivanhoe]

Search for e.g. "differential equations analog solvers"