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A Short History of Computing Devices from Schickard to de Colmar: Emergence and Evolution of Ingenious Ideas and Technologies as Precursors of Modern Computer Technology

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Computations and Computing Devices in Mathematics Education Before the Advent of Electronic Calculators

Part of the book series: Mathematics Education in the Digital Era ((MEDE,volume 11))

Abstract

Even the brief analysis of the history of the invention of mechanical computing devices from the 17th to early 20th centuries that we provide in this chapter demonstrates the rich potential available to mathematics educators today. The first devices designed by Schickard and Pascal showed a technological complexity when dealing with the issue of representing even simple arithmetic operations, such as addition, by means of gears and wheels. The knowledge they developed, along with the ideas they did not succeed to put in practice, inspired further generations of inventors who not only pursued the search for better aids for calculation practices but also envisioned novel mathematical structures allowing for a more universal approach to computing which, along with technological know-how, eventually led to the modern era of electronic computers, the Internet, and other digital tools and technology-rich environments. At the end of the chapter, we explore the educational potential of this historical development.

On a toujours cherché les moyens de diminuer la fatigue d’esprit et d’abréger le temps qu’entrainent les opérations arithmétiques (People always looked for ways to make the spirit less tired and to reduce the time taken by arithmetic operations).

Louis Thomas (Chevalier de Colmar) 1852

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Notes

  1. 1.

    For more details about the complex history of this invention, see, for example, Cajory (1909).

  2. 2.

    Notice necessary to those who will have the curiosity to see the arithmetical machine and to use it.

  3. 3.

    Sir Bulstrode Whitelocke (1605–1675) was Head of the English diplomatic mission in Sweden in 1653; Morland took part in that mission.

  4. 4.

    For a detailed historical outline of the binary system, in general, and prior to Leibniz, in particular, see Glaser (1981), Chap. 2.

  5. 5.

    Durand-Richard (2010, p. 293).

  6. 6.

    “M. de Prony s’était engagé avec les comités de gouvernement, à composer pour la division centésimale du cercle, des tables logarithmiques et trigonométriques, qui, non-seulement ne laissassent rien à désirer quant à l’exactitude, mais qui formassent le monument de calcul le plus vaste et le plus imposant qui eût jamais été exécuté, ou même conçu” (Anon. 1820, p. 7, cited by Babbage 1832, p. 155; Babbage 1961, p. 316).

  7. 7.

    Reuleaux, Franz (1829–1905).

  8. 8.

    A calculating machine built based on Odhner’s principles by Grimme, Natalis & Co (founded in 1871) in Germany (Braunschweig). The manufacture was led by Franz Trinks (1852–1931) who was also inventor of the Trinks-Arithmotyp, a key-driven mechanical calculator (Lenz 1924, p. 76).

  9. 9.

    Another name used for a bead abacus.

  10. 10.

    For more on modern development, see Martinovich’s chapter in this book.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Université de Moncton, Moncton, NB, Canada

    Viktor Freiman

  2. Université de Moncton, Shippagan, NB, Canada

    Xavier Robichaud

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Center for General Education and Institute of History, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan

    Alexei Volkov

  2. Université de Moncton, Moncton, NB, Canada

    Viktor Freiman

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Freiman, V., Robichaud, X. (2018). A Short History of Computing Devices from Schickard to de Colmar: Emergence and Evolution of Ingenious Ideas and Technologies as Precursors of Modern Computer Technology. In: Volkov, A., Freiman, V. (eds) Computations and Computing Devices in Mathematics Education Before the Advent of Electronic Calculators. Mathematics Education in the Digital Era, vol 11. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-73396-8_13

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