Computer science development of sophisticated computing equipment. Wilhelm Schickard designed and constructed the first working mechanical calculator in 1623. In 1673, Gottfried Leibniz demonstrated a digital mechanical calculator, called the Stepped Reckoner. He may be considered the first computer scientist and information theorist, for, among other reasons, documenting the binary number system. In 1820, Thomas de Colmar launched the mechanical calculator industry when he released his simplified arithmometer, which was the first calculating machine strong enough and reliable enough to be used daily in an office environment. Charles Babbage started the design of the first "automatic mechanical calculator", his Difference Engine, in
John Robison (inventor) in 1837. John Robison (inventor) Sir John Robison KH FRSE FRSSA (11 June 1778 – 7 March 1843) was a Scottish inventor and writer on scientific subjects. He was the son of the physicist and mathematician, Professor John Robison. He was born in Edinburgh on 11 June 1778, the son of Rachel Wright and John Robison. Robison was educated at the High School in Edinburgh and then studied at the University of Edinburgh. Around 1795 he entered the cotton-spinning industry, first in Paisley and then moving south to Manchester. In 1802 he entered the service of Nizam of Hyderabad as