Museum of Science, Tokyo University of Science / Mechanical Calculators
The Museum of Science, Tokyo University of Science was established in 1991. The building is a reconstruction of the original wooden building constructed in 1906 that housed the Tokyo College of Science. The permanent exhibit presents the history of computing devices including abacuses, calculators, and computers. (For more information, see the February 2013 issue of the PR magazine pla-topia.) http://www.tus.ac.jp/info/setubi/museum/
Mechanical Calculators
Various types of calculator have emerged since the 17th century. The Pascaline made by French mathematician and philosopher Pascal is the oldest mechanical calculator. Subsequently, German philosopher and mathematician Leibniz created a modified version based on the Pascaline (replica on display).
In the latter half of the 19th century, it became important to carry out complex and accurate calculation at a high speed and mechanical calculators came to be in common use. Calculating the position of ships during voyages from astro-observation and the ballistic trajectory of artillery guns were areas where mechanical calculators played key roles.
