Blaise Pascal invented the second mechanical calculator, called Pascaline, in 1645, the first being that of Wilhelm Schickard from 1623. He began work on it in 1642.
The calculator was invented in relation with his father's work on collecting taxes. This system of calculating taxes was used in France until 1799 due to the currency confusion that tax collectors face when using the calculator.
The calculator has metal wheel dials that are turned to appropiate numbers and the answers appear in boxes in the top of the calculator.
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Last updated: 05-29-2005 16:34:41
