99% Invisible Empire of the Sum
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Dec 13, 2023 Keith Houston, author of Empire of the Sum, dives into the quirky history of calculators, exploring how these essential tools have transformed over time. From ancient counting methods to the emotional backstory of the Curta calculator, his anecdotes reveal the human connection to numbers. The episode highlights a unique post-war contest in Tokyo, the surprising skills of the abacus, and the technological leap brought by the Casio brothers. Houston celebrates the calculator's journey, emphasizing its profound impact on technology and culture.
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Innate Counting Ability
- Humans and animals share an innate ability to count.
- Even babies show surprise when object quantities change unexpectedly.
Finger Counting History
- Humans likely learned counting with fingers and toes, influencing number systems based on 5, 10, or 20.
- Sumerian, Egyptian, and Roman clues hint at sophisticated finger-counting techniques for large numbers.
Slide Rule Innovation
- Slide rules simplified complex calculations using logarithms, making multiplication easier than log tables and pen-and-paper.
- They were essential tools for mid-century engineering, even sending Apollo 11 to the moon.
