The Revolutionary Invention of the First Mechanical Calculator
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Chapter 1: The Birth of a Mechanical Marvel
The creation of the first operational mechanical calculator is attributed to Wilhelm Schickard, who collaborated with Johannes Kepler on this groundbreaking invention. Tragically, the original device was lost to a devastating fire.
The calculator by Wilhelm Schickard. Source: Wikipedia
As the Thirty Years' War ravaged Europe, French soldiers invaded Tübingen, Germany, wreaking havoc on the local populace and destroying properties indiscriminately. In a fateful incident, a soldier set fire to a building, unknowingly eradicating one of humanity's pivotal inventions — Schickard's fully functional mechanical calculator.
Early Life and Education
Wilhelm Schickard. Source: Wikipedia
Wilhelm Schickard was born on April 22, 1592. He was introduced to carpentry by his father and later pursued theology, while also studying mathematics and astronomy under Michel Mastin, who was the tutor to Johannes Kepler. After completing his education, Schickard taught Hebrew at the University of Tübingen. To facilitate Hebrew learning, he invented a simple device called the Hebraea Rota, which utilized wheels and cogs to show verb conjugations. This marked the beginning of his journey toward developing mechanical calculators.
Johannes Kepler. Source: Wikipedia
Johannes Kepler, renowned for his three laws of planetary motion, relocated from Linz, Austria, to Tübingen. He spent six years there, notably involved in defending his mother, Katharina Kepler, during a notorious witch trial, which he ultimately won. During this turbulent time, Kepler engaged in research and collaborated with fellow astronomers. He met Schickard while ordering wooden panels for his publication, and their relationship blossomed into a scientific partnership. Impressed by the Hebraea Rota, Kepler encouraged Schickard to create a machine capable of performing mechanical calculations.
Functionality of the Device
The dials located at the machine's base were designed for addition and subtraction.
The upper knobs were intended for multiplication.
To multiply 2435 by 7, one would set the top knobs to 2435 and the slider to 7.
The addition/subtraction dial managed the carryover operation.
Ultimately, the panel displayed the result of 17045.
Kepler commissioned the machine to enhance his astronomical calculations.
Aftermath of the Invention
Though Kepler returned to Austria, he maintained correspondence with Schickard. Following the passing of Michel Mastin, Schickard assumed the role of head of the mathematics and astronomy department. Their letters reveal that Schickard successfully developed the first mechanical calculator, including detailed instructions on its construction and operation. Regrettably, this model was lost to the flames of the Thirty Years' War. Schickard authored a work predicting the moon's position relative to Earth. A staunch advocate of the heliocentric theory, Schickard faced significant opposition, as this view was deemed heretical at the time. The war also brought plague to Tübingen, claiming the lives of Schickard’s wife, two daughters, and ultimately Schickard himself on October 24, 1635.
The first video showcases the Odhner 7 mechanical calculator, illustrating its design and functionality.
The second video, featuring Axel Jacob Petersson, explains the mechanical calculator capable of performing all four arithmetic operations, providing valuable insights into its historical context.