Charles Xavier Thomas

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Charles Xavier Thomas de Colmar
Born	1785 France
Died	1870
Nationality	French
Fields	Mathematics
Doctoral students	None
Known for	Arithmometer

Charles Xavier Thomas de Colmar (1785-1870) was a French inventor and mathematician. He is more known for designing and patenting one of the first calculators called the Arithmometer, in 1820.

The Arithmometer was the first successful mechanical calculator that could add, subtract, and multiply. It could also divide with some user intervention. Using principles from previous mechanical calculators of the period, Thomas’ calculator was the most reliable calculator yet and was in production for ninety years.

Thomas first designed his machine in 1820 while serving in the French Army. He then built it basing its design on Leibniz calculator. The Arithmometer was very large and would occupy an entire desk. Its design was important for the advancement of the calculator and early computers. Thomas received the Chevalier of the Legion of Honor for his invention.^[1]

Contents 1 Personal Life 2 See Also 3 References 4 External links

[edit] Personal Life

Thomas married the Duchess of Bojano and had a son, Thomas de Bojano.

[edit] See Also

• History of computing hardware

[edit] References

1. ^ California State University. Charles Xavier Thomas de Colmar.

[edit] External links

• Patent