The calculator has become an indispensable tool in the modern world, helping people solve everything from simple arithmetic to complex mathematical problems. Yet, its evolution from a rudimentary counting device to a sophisticated computing machine is a journey of remarkable innovation and technological advancement.
Early Beginnings: The Abacus and Mechanical Calculators
Calculator CruncLong before digital calculators entered the scene, ancient civilizations relied on simple devices like the abacus to perform basic arithmetic operations. The abacus, believed to have been invented around 2400 BCE, allowed users to perform addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division by sliding beads across rods. It was an essential tool in ancient China, Greece, and Rome, providing a manual way to crunch numbers for trade and commerce.
By the 17th century, the abacus began to be replaced by mechanical calculators. One of the earliest examples was the