räknemaskiner

Räknemaskiner, or calculating machines, are devices designed to perform arithmetic operations. The earliest forms were manual, such as the abacus, which used beads on rods to represent numbers. Over time, mechanical calculators emerged, like Pascal's calculator developed by Blaise Pascal in the 17th century, which could perform addition and subtraction. Later, more complex mechanical machines were developed that could also multiply and divide.

The 20th century saw the advent of electromechanical and then electronic calculators. Electromechanical calculators used relays and gears, while electronic calculators utilized vacuum tubes and later transistors and integrated circuits. These electronic devices significantly increased speed and accuracy. The development of the microprocessor in the 1970s led to the widespread availability of affordable pocket calculators, revolutionizing personal computation. Modern calculating machines range from simple handheld devices to sophisticated scientific and financial calculators, as well as the computational functions integrated into computers and smartphones. The fundamental principle remains the same: to automate and expedite mathematical calculations.