Computing

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Chapter 11

Calculating Machines

e origins of mechanical computing devices are rooted in the European

Renaissance. During this time, there was a resurgence of classicism and

interest in humanistic subjects: thanks to the gradual spread of Indo-Arabic

numeration and mathematics in the 16th century, scholars were perform-

ing increasingly complicated calculations. is movement heralded the

decline of the use of Roman numerals and counter-boards, which had

been predominantly used in both academia and commerce from the time

of the Roman Empire. Great cities arose as a result of burgeoning trade

throughout Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, and along ...