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A set of Napier's Bones
Skeleton Day
Oct 16
Other Scottish Country Dances for this Day
Today's Musings, History & Folklore
"🎶 Dem bones, dem bones, dem dry bones,
Dem bones, dem bones, dem dry bones,
Dem bones, dem bones, dem dry bones,
Now shake dem skeleton bones!"
~ Traditional
Shake dem bones, skeletons, mathematicians, and dancers, with this 32 bar jig that hints at the movements of "Napier's Bones", a 16th century pre-calculator tool! Invented by Scottish mathematician John Napier born at Merchiston Castle, Edinburgh in the early 17th century, this device revolutionized arithmetic by simplifying complex calculations. The device consists of a set of rods, often made from wood, ivory, bone, or metal, with multiplication tables inscribed on each side. By aligning these rods, users could perform quick multiplications, divisions, and even square root extractions—tasks that previously required extensive mental math or cumbersome manual methods. Napier’s Bones were an essential precursor to the mechanical calculators that followed, marking a significant advancement in mathematical tools during the Renaissance. Remember those logarithmic tables in your mathematics classes? Thank, John Napier for those as well which hugely simplified complex calculations, particularly in fields like astronomy and engineering! Now with all this spare time, we can dance more! 🦴 🦴 🦴 💀 🔢
Napier's Bones
John Napier, born on 1550 in Merchiston Castle, Edinburgh, Scotland, was a renowned Scottish mathematician, physicist, and astronomer best known for his invention of logarithms, which revolutionized computational mathematics. His work made calculations involving multiplication and division much simpler, greatly aiding in the fields of astronomy and navigation.
Napier was also the inventor of the "Napier's Bones," a manual calculating device that allowed for the multiplication and division of large numbers through the manipulation of rods inscribed with numbers. This invention laid foundational concepts for the later development of the slide rule, another significant computational tool.
Aside from his mathematical pursuits, Napier was deeply interested in theology and wrote several widely respected treatises on the subject, reflecting the religious and philosophical norms of his era. His works include a vehement criticism of the Catholic Church, aligning with the Reformation ideologies prevalent in Scotland during his lifetime.
He spent much of his life at Merchiston Castle, where he conducted most of his research and writing. Napier’s contributions to mathematics are memorialized in the naming of Napier University in Edinburgh, ensuring his legacy continues to influence the fields of mathematics and science. He died on April 4, 1617, in Edinburgh, leaving behind a legacy as a pivotal figure in the scientific revolution of the Renaissance.
For more on John Napier, click his portrait!
Click the dance cribs or description below to link to a printable version of the dance!
