eBay

Now includes our updated premium frame!

Napiers Bones –designed in 1617 by John Napier a Scottish Mathematician. In its day it was a wonderous device device that simplified complex multiplication and other math processes such as long division and square roots.   It was essentially the first calculator and was in common use for nearly 3 centuries. 

This is something I find wonderfully elegant in understanding and explaining how basic math works.  This can be a valuable tool for educators.  Plus, every math geek should have one to better understand their rootsJ .

In researching the Napiers bones,  I found only one other set available on the internet (UK), which included only 1 set of rods and no cover or storage box for the rods.  I wanted to make a fully functional  well crafted set that would store easily.   I also wanted to provide 2 full sets of rods to increase the versatility of the set.    The more rods you have, the more complex and varied numbers you can manipulate.

Thus the set that we make in our Florida has 2 full sets of rods #0-9  (20 rods in total) that can be both used and stored in the attractive base with cover.  Rods are made from 1/8” thick alder and are deeply laser engraved. The base is a 7” x 7” square and the rods are 6” long each.

Added sets of rods are available as an option at added cost.  We also created the square root rod which is available as an option. Please contact me if you want these items.

Its a fun set to play with and imagine what the scientists (particularly astronomers of the day) had to deal with in performing their calculations.