NAPIER 2014: 400 years of logarithms
--- Propositions for an international conference ---
CAVEAT
This is only a proposal, I am not the organizer of a conference. I have tried
to raise the idea since January 2011, but so far there has been very little
progress. The Royal Society of Edinburgh has had plans for an event, but I do
not know how far things are advanced. Anybody who is interested to
participate should contact the following people:
- Professor Robin Wilson (r.j.wilson at open.ac.uk),
British Society for the History of Mathematics
- Tom Lenagan (tom at maths.ed.ac.uk), Edinburgh Mathematical Society
- Keith Ball (kmb120205 at googlemail.com),
International Center for Mathematical Sciences
Context
In 1614, John Napier published the first table of logarithms.
In 1914, the tercentenary of Napier's publication was celebrated with
a conference.
Scope of the conference
Trigonometrical and logarithmic tables, their history, and their legacy
in the 21st century.
Place
It is hoped to have the conference take place in Edinburgh in 2014.
Suggested contributions:
- Trigonometrical and logarithmic tables: the contributions
should primarily focus on trigonometrical and logarithmic tables
- Table makers: articles on modern table makers (approximately starting
with Regiomontanus, Rheticus, Napier, Briggs, etc.)
- Computing trigonometrical and logarithmic functions then and now:
comparison of methods, their errors, their advantages, etc.
- Mechanical computing of trigonometrical and logarithmic functions:
machines for computing or checking tables, specialized or general
machines, difference engines, accounting machines, etc.
- Modern algorithms for trigonometrical and logarithmic functions
- Trigonometrical and logarithmic tables online
- Errors in tables: propagation of errors, means to reduce them,
good and bad table makers, etc.
- The typography of mathematical tables
- The economy and efficiency of table making: comparison
of the efficiency of various historical undertakings
- Trigonometrical and logarithmic functions in Asia, and elsewhere
- ...
Discussion list:
A mailing list to discuss the organization of this conference
was set up at LORIA. You are welcome to join.
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Last update: D. Roegel, March 14, 2013