The Origin of Logarithms

Logarithms, before the advent of calculators, were invented to save time. In the 17th century, a common problem was the vast amount of time it required to multiply numbers with many digits.

The invention of the logarithm is mainly attributed to Scottish Baron John Napier (1550-1617), who first published his logarithmic works in 1614 under the title Mirifici logarithmorum canonis descriptio, which translates literally as "A Description of the Wonderful Table of Logarithms".

Napier got the name "logarithm" from the Greek words logos, meaning proportion, and arithmos, meaning number. Napier crafted various tables entailing his work, which can be viewed below.