History of Computers - Pascaline

In 1642, Blaise Pascal invented the Pascaline, a machine that, although simple, would ultimately lead to some of the most complex and sophisticated computers of our time. That is, with significant help from other inventors and mathematicians along the way. However, the Pascaline set the stage by successfully performing additions and subtractions more quickly and productively than its operator using a system that is still used in modern calculators and computers.

Overview

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The Pascaline's existance came into place in the year 1642, when Blaise Pascal was working for his father handling tax returns [1]. The tax returns involved a long, arduous series of mathematical operations, in which many simple mistakes could be made, simply due to the mass of information that the accountants were handling. Pascal saw the need and filled it by creating a small crank-powered machine that could perform simple operations far more productively than if done by hand.

The Pascaline was about the size of a shoebox, and had ten small glass windows across the metal front that revealed ten small cylinders [2].