Before we dive into this forgotten figure from computing‘s origins, let me first introduce myself. I‘m a data analyst with a passion for tech history. I love discovering hidden stories about the pioneers, inventions and companies that made information technology what it is today.
In this post, I want to walk you through the fascinating tale of one such lesser-known pioneer – 17th century French inventor René Grillet de Roven. You may never have heard his name, but Grillet made a remarkably early and insightful contribution that helped pave the way for modern computers as we know them.
Why Grillet Matters
In 1673, a full 200 years before the first programmable computers, Grillet introduced an innovative mechanical calculating device that caught my attention for two reasons:
- Its incredibly compact, pocket-sized design that foresaw today‘s emphasis on miniaturization and portability
- Grillet‘s attempt to commercialize it for sale to the public, anticipating computing‘s evolution into a mass-market consumer industry
For a watchmaker working in the 1600s, before electronics and information technology even existed, Grillet displayed impressive vision. That‘s why, despite his obscurity, he deserves more recognition.
Bringing Numbers to Life: Mechanical Calculators
Now, to truly appreciate Grillet‘s inventiveness, you need some background on what came before him.
For centuries, difficult math was an exclusively human endeavor, requiring expert knowledge, intense concentration and manual notation. But the 17th century saw the first efforts to mechanically automate routine arithmetic work through complex mechanical contraptions.
These early calculating machines used interlocking gears, dials, cylinders and other meticulously engineered parts to "bring numbers to life" and perform functions like addition, subtraction and more. They later inspired 19th and 20th century inventors in the lead up to true modern computers.
Some key pre-Grillet milestones:
| Year | Invention | Inventor | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1617 | Logarithmic slide rule | William Oughtred | Early calculating aid using logarithmic scales |
| 1623 | Mechanical calculator | Wilhelm Schickard | Could add & subtract 6-digit numbers automatically |
| 1642 | Pascaline | Blaise Pascal | Versatile adding machine with carrying mechanism |
| 1673 | Stepped reckoner | Gottfried Leibniz | First true multiplier, using stepped drum gear |
Many of these devices were quite large, though some ingenious individuals like Pierre Petit began experimenting with more portable cylindrical designs.
Grillet‘s Compact Calculator
In 1673, an obscure Parisian watchmaker named René Grillet introduced his own take on the mechanical calculator – a pocket-sized arithmetic aid for use on-the-go. But unfortunately, his machine and its inventor soon faded into history.
Resurfacing a Century Later
It was not until a 1678 journal rediscovered Grillet‘s odd invention that its importance became clear in hindsight. As I pored over the sketches and descriptions from centuries ago as a modern-day analyst, I realized Grillet‘s design embodied two key attributes:
1. Exceptional portability: At just 14.5 x 32.5 x 5 cm according to the records, his wooden calculator box was slim and light enough to carry by hand or in a large pocket. This crucial aspect of mobility was more than 100 years ahead of its time compared to bulky desktop devices of the early 20th century.
2. Commercial ambition: Grillet showcased his calculator at public fairs for a fee, demonstrating an early business-mindedness and mass-market outlook compared to many of his academic contemporaries working in isolation.
Let‘s analyze some of the machine‘s key components and functionality to truly appreciate Grillet‘s forward-thinking conception.
An Inside Look
Contemporary illustrations reveal a box containing multiple wheel dials on top and engraved cylindrical rods reminiscent of Napier‘s Bones inside.
[Insert diagram of Grillet‘s calculator]Though Grillet was highly secretive about the actual workings, scholars believe the portable device could perform addition, subtraction, multiplication and division calculations. The interlocking gears, dials and cylinders worked harmoniously together to deliver remarkable automated computational capacity.
The only known surviving examples now reside at the Musée des Arts et Métiers in Paris. These rare artifacts provide a tanglible glimpse into a pivotal transitional period between purely mechanical calculation and true modern computing.
From Mechanical to Electronic – The Evolution Continues
In many ways, Grillet‘s calculator embodied the peak of mechanical innovation. Within two hundred years, the transistor and integrated circuits inaugurated the electronic computer age, enabling exponential leaps in processing speed, versatility and more compact sizes.
By the 1960s, programmable digital computers had assumed many routine data processing and mathematical tasks. And with the invention of the microprocessor in 1971, computing power could suddenly fit inside one tiny chip.
Desktop PCs brought the computer into everyday office and home life through the 1980s and 90s. Then finally, the advent of smartphones placed immense capability right in our pockets – a form factor Grillet would have assuredly recognized and appreciated.
Timeline of Key Computing Milestones After Grillet
While by no means a household name, René Grillet and his pocket calculator represented a noteworthy early milestone in mankind‘s quest to mechanize calculation and information handling. Grillet‘s blend of portability and commercial thinking contained glimmers of the ubiquitous portable computing technology we rely on today.
So next time you pull out your smartphone to tip a restaurant bill or check train times, think of the 17th century French watchmaker who shared the same desire to compute on-the-go – and helped pave the way.
I hope you enjoyed this insider‘s journey into an oft-overlooked computing pioneer and his invention! Let me know if you have any other lesser known stories from tech history you want explored.
