Napier's bones

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This set of wooden numbering rods for doing arithmetical calculations probably dates from the 18th century. The rods are known as 'Napiers's Bones' after John Napier of Merchiston (1550-1617), inventor of logarithms.

The rods were used to convert multiplication and division into simpler problems of addition and subtraction. Each bone has four sides, each with a multiplication table on it.

Napiers's Bones are so named because early sets were made in ivory. Napier described their use in his 'Rabdologiae' published in 1617, although he had been working on his ideas for around 20 years before publication.

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• Online ID: 000-180-000-740-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland Part 2
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  T.1866.57
• Date: 18th century
  Probably 18th century
  
• Material: Boxwood
  
• Dimensions:
• What:
• Subject: 19. MATHEMATICS (Departmental Classification)
  
• Who: John Napier (Inventor)
  
• Where: England
  
• Event:
• Description: Boxwood set of Napier's bones, a device for performing multiplication and division invented by Napier, the discoverer of logarithms
  
• References:
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