Blaise Pascal- Pascaline An idea does not just come out of nowhere; there needs an action to trigger those specific thoughts. The same goes for inventions, events need to lead up to the need/idea for an invention. For example, sliced bread would have never been invented had not the recipe for bread itself been created. Another example takes place in the life of Blaise Pascal. The upbringing of Blaise Pascal led to one of his greatest inventions, the Pascaline calculator. Blaise Pascal was born in Clermont-Ferrand, France on June 19, 1623. He was born into the family of Étienne and Antoinette Pascal with two older sisters and eventually one younger sister. In Pascal’s early years, Étienne was a judge at a local tax court. Unfortunately Étienne
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In 1631, the family moved to Paris for Étienne’s job. When he was not working, Étienne homeschooled Pascal in order that he could express his own curiosity in learning. Besides being a tax worker, Étienne was also a renowned mathematician. Surprisingly, in teaching Pascal, he first withheld geometry, fearing that Pascal would not be able to focus on any other subjects(Biography.com, Blaise Pascal.)
Pascal was not at rest; he was so interested in mathematics that he set out and taught himself geometry completely on his own. With no instruction, Pascal created his own terminology for mathematical terms. After his father saw how much potential Pascal had, Étienne allowed him to read the works of other mathematicians and even go with him to meetings at Mersenne’s Academy in Paris. While at this convention, Pascal introduced many of his own theorems including the Mystic Hexagram theorem, astounding the other present mathematicians(Biography.com, Blaise …show more content…
This was the first digital calculating machine, and at the time it made taxes much easier. However, there was trouble because the french currency wasn’t divided into round numbers. There were 12 deniers in one sole and 20 sols in one livre. This kept the Pascaline from becoming very popular at the time. The mechanics behind the Pascaline were very influential though. This method of gear turning was used in odometers of cars and gas pumps before screens started being used. Even today, computers are based off of the ideas originally from the Pascaline(Educalc.net, Blaise Pascal.) Blaise Pascal’s upbringing set him up to be a successful mathematician. Through determination and self-learning, Pascal gained enough knowledge in science and mathematics in order to make his own contributions. His written works are still cited today. The syringe and hydraulic press are as important as ever. Most importantly, the legacy of Blaise Pascal will live on through the mechanics and ideas invented with the Pascaline.
Works
In 1631, the family moved to Paris for Étienne’s job. When he was not working, Étienne homeschooled Pascal in order that he could express his own curiosity in learning. Besides being a tax worker, Étienne was also a renowned mathematician. Surprisingly, in teaching Pascal, he first withheld geometry, fearing that Pascal would not be able to focus on any other subjects(Biography.com, Blaise Pascal.)
Pascal was not at rest; he was so interested in mathematics that he set out and taught himself geometry completely on his own. With no instruction, Pascal created his own terminology for mathematical terms. After his father saw how much potential Pascal had, Étienne allowed him to read the works of other mathematicians and even go with him to meetings at Mersenne’s Academy in Paris. While at this convention, Pascal introduced many of his own theorems including the Mystic Hexagram theorem, astounding the other present mathematicians(Biography.com, Blaise …show more content…
This was the first digital calculating machine, and at the time it made taxes much easier. However, there was trouble because the french currency wasn’t divided into round numbers. There were 12 deniers in one sole and 20 sols in one livre. This kept the Pascaline from becoming very popular at the time. The mechanics behind the Pascaline were very influential though. This method of gear turning was used in odometers of cars and gas pumps before screens started being used. Even today, computers are based off of the ideas originally from the Pascaline(Educalc.net, Blaise Pascal.) Blaise Pascal’s upbringing set him up to be a successful mathematician. Through determination and self-learning, Pascal gained enough knowledge in science and mathematics in order to make his own contributions. His written works are still cited today. The syringe and hydraulic press are as important as ever. Most importantly, the legacy of Blaise Pascal will live on through the mechanics and ideas invented with the Pascaline.
Works