Computing devices, mathematics education and mathematics: Sexton’s omnimetre in its time

AbstractMaterial objects can tell us much about mathematical practice. In 1899, Albert Sexton, a Philadelphia mechanical engineer, received the John Scott Medal of the Franklin Institute for his invention of the omnimetre. This inexpensive circular slide rule was one of a host of computing devices that became common in the United States around 1900. It is inscribed “NUMERI MUNDUM REGUNT”. In part because of instruments such as the omnimetre, numbers increasingly ruled the practical world of the late 19th and early 20th century. This changed not only engineering, but mathematics education and mathematical work

Oral history interview with Peggy Kidwell

This is one in a series of interviews on the early history of the history of computing. In this interview, Dr. Peggy Kidwell describes her upbringing and education, and her career working primarily with the mathematical collections at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History. Among other topics, she discusses her work with Dr. Uta Merzbach and her collaboration with Dr. Paul Ceruzzi. She also gives her perspective on the general ecology of the history of computing and information processing