Set of Napier's rods, 1770-1790.
Image number: 10411346
Napier's rods, set in wooden box with trade label 'J Imison Clock and Watch Maker, Optician &tc, No 58 Hay-market, London'. John Napier (1550-1617), discoverer of logarithms, created the popular calculating tool known as Napier's rods or bones. Napier's rods reduced muliplication to a sequence of simple additions; division and square roots could also be achieved.
- Image number:
- 10411346
- Credit:
- Science Museum/Science & Society Picture Library
- Date taken:
- 29 October 2003 12:17
- Image rights:
- Science Museum
