John Napier describes the nature of logarithms. He also builds Napier’s Bones, the forerunner to the slide rule.

Wilhem Schickardt invents the Calculating Clock, the first mechanical calculator, based on the idea of Napier’s Bones – rods used as mechanical aids to calculation and envisioned by John Napier in 1614.

Gottfried Leibniz improves upon Pascaline by adding multiplication, division, and square root capabilities.

Leibniz introduces binary arithmetic – a fundamental discovery showing that every number can be represented by the symbols 0 and 1 only.

Charles Xavier Thomas De Colmar develops the “Arithometer”, the first practical and reliable device capable of the four basic arithmetic functions: addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.

Charles Babagge conceives of the Analytical Engine but dies before its completion.

Sir Charles Wheatstone uses paper tape to store data. This technique for data storage is similar to punch cards except the tape can be fed continually through the machine.

Christopher Sholes, a Milwaukee newspaper editor, invents the typewriter. Six years later, E.Remington & Sons of New York refines and markets Shole’s design.

Heinrich Rudolf Hertz proves that electricity is transmitted at the speed of light.

Herman Hollerith creates an electric tabulating system for U.S Census Bureau. It uses cards to store information, which are fed into a machine that compiles census results mechanically. As many as 80 variables can be stored on a single card. Instead of 10 years, census takers compile their results in just six weeks with Hollerith’s machine.