Who Invented the Calculator

An article by Peter Pierce    Comments Off on Who Invented the Calculator

A calculator is a device that has been designed to make numeric calculations easier and quick. Few centuries back, abaci and calculated mathematical tables were the common options available to the mathematicians. As time passed the need for an accurate and simpler device become evident, this led to the invention of first mechanical calculator. In 1623, Wilhelm Schickard designed a calculating clock which was later lost in a fire. This stopped him from continuing his work.

Later on Blaise Pascal after his hard work of three years, made the first mechanical calculator in 1645. Pascal’s work was probably the most discussed invention in the history of calculations. He kept on modifying his work and his series of calculators were known as “Pascaline”.

In the late 19th century and early 20th century, many innovations were made to the existing models of calculators. In 1970s, the digital calculators with a cell or rechargeable battery became quite cheap and much faster. Later in 1990s many companies came in with extremely compact calculators that had a long life and better battery back ups. Presently complex scientific math can be easily done on calculators which are very much affordable to a common man.