IP - Calculator

Miguel Molina

STS-THY

Calculator

An electronic calculator is a portable device used to perform both basic and complex operations of Arithmetic and Geometrical. It is a widely used device and it has been a common gadget for offices and schools that require mathematical equations. The first calculator started from a mechanism widely recognized as the abacus which was first seen in Greece. The abacus was used in various forms in order to keep track of the costs of goods in those times. The earliest surviving example of this technological leap dates back to about 300B.C when things were much more primitive. Considering the pace at which mankind evolves and develops new tools to solve new problems you’d be forgiven for thinking the fact that the abacus improved the way we solve mathematical equations. In fact, the next step forward in calculator technology didn’t take place for another millennium. It is said that the earliest known mechanical calculator was built in the early 1600’s by a German mathematician and astronomer.  They first called the invention the “calculating clock” and it used a version of another innovators idea which was based on an ancient numerical scheme. The device was only limited to add and subtract six digit numbers. Then a few years later, the Pascaline was made. The adding and subtracting machine was made by a French inventor Pascal. In later years the modification was  age of evolutionary leaps and bounds for the calculator. The rapidly advancing technological capabilities and reliable, mass production helped drive the development of the calculator to even greater heights. Between the 1800’s and the 1900’s the calculator went from being a materialistic device for the rich to being a heavily commercialized gadget. In fact, it was only recently when the calculators featured the push button keys that we’re all accustomed to today. The standard two rows of five buttons layout was designed around the 1900’s, in a mint’s time, the United States imported the Swedish 10 digit layout that we’re all familiar with. It was this point that the calculator’s development was hindered by the limits of technology. The 1960’s was the decade that saw the calculator move from being a large, lever operated device to something small and portable. In 1969, there were a lot of companies that contested each other on revolutionizing the calculator. As technology improved, calculators became ever smaller yet more complex and capable. It was given the ability to even solve fractions and deeper arithmetic equations. In the 1990’s companies saw an opportunity for the new devices hitting the market. The basic model started a whole new range of calculators designed to meet the needs of the people. From scientific to graphing; the list kept going on then went online.. These days most computers and portable devices already have a calculator utility built in. the invention of the smart phone has an ability to download and install applications that perform more complex mathematical functions. The history of the calculator is immense and it is mostly unknown but it has widely revolutionized our technology and helped us advance our technology to even greater heights.